Machine-gun guard as Cregan takes the stand

Multiple-murder defendant Dale Cregan has stood in the dock for the first time at his trial for the murder of two police officers, one of them PC Nicola Hughes from Diggle.

The burly, one-eyed 29 year old, dressed in a white T–shirt, wore a black onyx in his left eye socket and smiled and chatted to other defendants after arriving at Preston Crown Court.

Outside, the court complex swarmed with police, many armed with machine guns.

Cregan confirmed his identity for the court. Prison officers sat between each of the other defendants, with more prison officers at the sides of the enclosed dock.

Cregan is accused of the murders of David Short (46) and his son, Mark (23) in the months before allegedly killing PCs Hughes (23) and Fiona Bone (32) in a gun and grenade attack in Hattersley last September.

Cregan’s co–accused are variously charged with counts or murder, attempted murder, causing an explosion and possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life.

Mohammed Ali (32), from Chadderton, is accused of assisting an offender.