Retired Met Police murder detective Steve Hobbs has died

Retired Detective Superintendent Steve Hobbs supervised homicide teams across east London and led more than 200 murder investigations, before being headhunted to run cold case murder enquiries in Northern Ireland.

Another retired Det Supt, John Macdonald, who was a newly-promoted Detective Inspector when he joined Steve’s Met Police homicide team in 2004, said he was shocked by the news of his death.

“I learned more from him in a short period of time than at any time in my career,” he said.

In later years Steve spent much of his time working pro bono on potential miscarriages of justice, including that of Jason Moore, currently serving life in prison for the 2005 murder of Robert Darby in Ilford.  

Steve, who had been receiving cancer treatment for more than a year, died aged 72 in hospital last Tuesday (November 28) – the same day Jason’s case was featured on BBC London News, following a two-year Newsquest investigation.

One of his last recorded interviews will be included in a Newsquest podcast, currently in production, about Jason’s case.

"Our dad was a hero," said Steve's eldest son Lee, himself a former police officer, speaking on behalf of the family. 

"He was the bravest man we knew. He taught us right from wrong and to the end he was full of humility, humour and respect for those around him."

Kirstie Moore, seen her holding a photo of her brother Jason, paid tribute to Steve Hobbs, who worked for free for years to try to overturn Jason's murder conviction (Image: Charles Thomson)

Steve’s three-decade career with the Met Police included ten years running investigations into national and international organised crime gangs (OCGs).

After retiring from the Met he was asked to become a senior investigator in Northern Ireland’s Historical Enquiries Team (HET), a cold case unit set up as part of the peace process to investigate around 3,000 deaths during The Troubles.

“I led a team that was responsible for the prosecution of 14 terrorists in what was the longest supergrass trial in Northern Ireland’s history,” he told Newsquest.

Shortly after retiring from that role, Steve was arrested after being wrongly accused of stealing police documents.

A senior officer had actually given him permission to keep the files – but he had to wait four years to be formally cleared.

He was hurt by the incident, saying it had cast “a shadow” over his professional reputation.

But colleagues remembered him this week as a shining example of excellence in policing.

“Steve was one of the most highly respected senior investigating officers in the Met,” said retired Det Supt Macdonald, now a civilian specialist crime reviewer.

"If there was a difficult or complex case it would often be given to him in view of the confidence that senior leaders had in his ability.

“He was an old school detective who led from the front and gave clear direction to all his staff as to what he wanted from them.

“Woe betide anyone who wasn’t doing their share of work. They would soon suffer the consequences.”

“Steve was one of the last great ‘old school’ detectives,” agreed Dave McKelvey, director of TM Eye, the private detective agency where Steve worked at the time of his death, leading its Murder and Serious Crimes Review Team.

“He spent his life in the pursuit of justice and the truth… Steve was fearless, tenacious and committed to every investigation he undertook.”

At TM Eye he reinvestigated the “Essex Boys” murders in Rettendon, the death of Stuart Lubbock at the home of Michael Barrymore, the death of Lee Balkwell in a cement mixer in Upminster, and the murder conviction of Jason Moore.

"He was a fantastic guy, a dedicated professional and what I would call a proper police officer," said Mark Bowen, of Shearman Bowen solicitors, Jason's pro bono legal firm.

Mr Hobbs and the TM Eye team worked for years to help Les Balkwell (main picture) reinvestigate the death of his son Lee (inset), found dead in a cement mixer in Upminster in 2002 (Image: Paul Bennett / Balkwell family)

“My view is that he didn’t do it,” Steve told Newsquest of Jason, convicted in 2013 of stabbing Robert Darby to death outside the Valentine pub in Perth Road, Gants Hill.

Jason’s sister Kirstie said it was Steve who had taught her how to interrogate police case files.

"Steve’s deep knowledge and skill were essential in re-examining Jason’s case,” she said.

“His thorough and determined approach, coupled with his firm belief in Jason’s innocence, played a crucial role in our quest for justice.

“Steve was far more than just a professional; he was a guiding light and a friend, leading me through tough times with his wisdom and steadfast support.

“I will always remember Steve for his professional excellence, his compassionate heart and the profound impact he made on the lives of those he helped.”

“Once you met Steve, you would not forget him,” retired Det Supt Macdonald concurred. “Perhaps that is why news of his death at a relatively early age has come as quite a shock.

“He certainly left his mark in policing and was able to ensure the families of many victims got the justice they deserved by locking up those responsible.”

"We are incredibly proud of his life and all the people he helped and protected along the way," said Lee.

"He shone a light on the darkness that some would prefer stayed hidden. He was fearless in his pursuit of justice and fairness.

"He will be missed but never forgotten. Our dad. Our hero."