Wells Burcombe help secure reduced sentence for ‘Essex Boys’ Jack Whomes

Jack Whomes, convicted of the so called 'Essex Boys' murders, had his minimum sentence reduced by the High Court following an application from Wells Burcombe.

Jack Whomes was convicted of the murders of Patrick Tate, Anthony Tucker and Craig Rolfe in 1998. The murders became known as the 'Essex Boys' case, after it inspired a film of that name starring Sean Bean.

Whomes was sentenced to life imprisonment, with a minimum term of 25 years before becoming eligible for parole.

However, after considering an application from Wells Burcombe on behalf of Whomes, Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb has decided to cut his minimum tariff by one year. She cited "exceptional progress in custody" as the main reason behind her decision.

David Wells, Senior Partner at Wells Burcombe, was representing Jack Whomes and comments:

"Despite being imprisoned for such a lengthy period of time, he has in many ways remained a model inmate and it is only right, just and fair that his exceptional progress throughout his time in prison has been recognised by a reduction in his tariff."

David Wells, who is also representing Whomes in a review of his conviction went on to say:

"Jack Whomes has continued to deny any involvement in the offences for which he was convicted over 20 years ago. He currently has an application before the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC) to review his convictions with a view to having his case reconsidered by the Court of Appeal. I believe he has a very good case."