Cregan denies police murders

DALE Cregan has denied murdering Diggle policewoman Nicola Hughes and her colleague Fiona Bone in a gun and grenade attack.

Cregan (29), of no fixed address, pleaded not guilty at Liverpool Crown Court to the murders of the Greater Manchester Police constables.

The officers were killed on the morning of September 18 as they responded to a report of a burglary in Hattersley.

Relatives of the two police officers attended the hearing.

Cregan, who appeared by videolink alongside nine co–defendants, denied another seven charges, including the murder of Mark Short (23) on May 26 and the murder of Mr Short’s father David (46) on August 10.

He also denied four counts of attempted murder and a one count of causing an explosion.

Luke Livesey (27), from Hattersley, and Damien Gorman (37), from Glossop, pleaded not guilty to the murder of Mark Short and three counts of attempted murder.

Anthony Wilkinson (33), from Beswick, denied the murder of David Short, possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life, attempted murder and causing an explosion with a hand–grenade.

Jermaine Ward (24), denied the murder of David Short, one count of attempted murder and an allegation of causing an explosion with a hand–grenade.

They were remanded in custody until their trial at Preston Crown Court on February 4.

The remaining defendants, including Mohammed Ali, (23), of Chadderton, were not asked to enter pleas yestrday and will appear again in December.

All were remanded in custody.