Moment police killer gave himself up

Cregan holds out his hands to be handcuffed after casually walking into Hyde police station

Dale Cregan yesterday dramatically altered his plea to admit the murder of two police officers.

The 29 year old, who faces life in jail, admitted gunning down Saddlworth-raised PC Nicola Hughes (23) and her colleague Fiona Bone (32) last September 18.

The court saw CCTV footage of the moment Cregan handed himself to police at Hyde, minutes after murdering the two officers. He remains on trial for the murders of father and son David and Mark Short, which he denies.

Cregan lured the officers to a house in Hattersley with a bogus call before using his Glock hand gun and a military fragmentation grenade to kill the unsuspecting PCs.

Cregan had initially pleaded not guilty to their murder last week. His dramatic change of plea came on the fourth day of the trial at Preston Crown Court.

At 2.23pm Cregan stood up and replied “guilty” when asked to enter his new plea to the charges, read by the clerk of the court.

The officer’s force, Greater Manchester Police, said in a statement they welcomed the guilty pleas but wouldn’t comment further. The trial continues.