Manchester shootings: Dale Cregan denies murdering PCs

Dale Cregan was arrested over the deaths of two police officers in Greater Manchester (PA)

Dale Cregan has denied murdering two policewomen in a gun and grenade attack.

Cregan, 29, of no fixed address, pleaded not guilty at Liverpool Crown Court today to the murders of Greater Manchester Police constables Nicola Hughes and Fiona Bone.

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

Relatives of the two police officers attended today's hearing flanked by police family liaison officers.

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, Matthew James, Ryan Hadfield, Leon Atkinson, Francis Dixon and Mohammed Ali, were not asked to enter their pleas at today's hearing.

James, 33, of Clayton; Hadfield, 28, from Ashton-under-Lyne; and Atkinson, 34, of Newton-le-Willows, are charged with the murder of Mark Short and three counts of attempted murder.

Dixon, 37, from the Stalybridge area, is charged with the murder of David Short, attempted murder and causing an explosion.

Ali, 23, from Chadderton, is accused of assisting an offender.

They were remanded in custody to return to Liverpool Crown Court on December 20 to enter their pleas.

PA