Dale Cregan

At the conclusion of the trial, the judge imposed four whole-life orders for the four murders, life sentences with a minimum of eleven years for the three attempted murders and another life sentence for the explosion.

Attribution

Accused

Several months after his conviction, Cregan refused food for several weeks in detention and was transferred from prison to the high-security Ashworth psychiatric hospital.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Personally implicated

Cregan entered the Cotton Tree pub in Droylsden armed and masked and shot dead Mark Short, 23, as he played pool. The attack formed part of a violent feud between Manchester families and criminal groups.

Attribution

Personally implicated

During the same Cotton Tree attack, Cregan shot three other men, John Collins, Ryan Pridding and Michael Belcher, who survived. He subsequently pleaded guilty to all three attempted murders.

Attribution

Personally implicated

Cregan pursued David Short to his home in Clayton, shot him repeatedly and then detonated a grenade on or near his body. He ultimately admitted the murder.

Attribution

Personally implicated

Following David Short's murder, Cregan threw a grenade at a house on Luke Road in Droylsden. He admitted causing the explosion but denied intending to kill the occupant, Sharon Hark.

Attribution

Personally implicated

Cregan deliberately lured police officers Nicola Hughes and Fiona Bone to Abbey Gardens with a false 999 call, shot them with a Glock pistol and threw a grenade while they lay on the ground.

Attribution

Personally implicated