Man in court on four murder charges (From Witney Gazette)
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Man in court on four murder charges
2:52am Friday 21st September 2012 in National News © Press Association 2013
Dale Cregan is due in court charged with four murders, including that of two female police officers (GMP/PA)
A man is set to appear in court charged with the murders of two police officers in a gun and grenade attack.
Pcs Nicola Hughes and Fiona Bone died during a bogus burglary call in Hattersley, Greater Manchester, on Tuesday. Their deaths shocked the nation and have elicited an outpouring of sympathy across the country.
Dale Cregan, 29, is charged with their murders. He is also accused of killing Mark Short at the Cotton Tree Inn in Droylsden, Tameside, on May 25 and his father David Short in an attack at his home in Clayton, Manchester, on August 10.
Cregan also faces four charges of attempted murder, three in relation to the shooting in the Cotton Tree Inn on May 25.
Michael Belcher, Ryan Pridding and John Short suffered leg and back injuries when an armed assailant wearing a balaclava entered the pub and shot them.
David Short, 46, who was found at his home in Folkestone Road East on August 10 after police were called there following reports of gunshots. A hand grenade was also used in that attack.
Less than 10 minutes later, there was another grenade explosion outside a house in Luke Road in Droylsden. No-one was injured in that incident.
The fourth attempted murder charge relates to the incidents that day. Cregan is accused of trying to murder Sharon Hark.
Cregan will appear from custody at Manchester City Magistrates' Court at 10am on Friday.
