Dale Cregan: UK's Notorious Cop Killer

Dale Cregan is a convicted British murderer and drug dealer born on June 6, 1983, in Tameside, Greater Manchester, infamous for killing two police officers and two others in a 2012 gangland revenge spree. This comprehensive guide explores his early life, criminal ascent, the shocking murders of Mark Short, David Short, PC Nicola Hughes, and PC Fiona Bone, his trial, life sentence, and recent developments like his high-security hospital transfers. Readers will gain deep insights into the Greater Manchester gang wars that fueled his violence, the impact on law enforcement, psychological profiles, and lasting societal effects. From his teenage drug dealing to grenade attacks and self-surrender, uncover the full timeline, key accomplices, and why Cregan remains one of the UK’s most reviled criminals even in 2026. Learn practical details on related sites, documentaries, and memorials honoring the victims.

Early Life

Dale Cregan grew up in Tameside, Greater Manchester, born to Anita Marie Cregan and Paul Cregan, a tool setter, as one of three siblings including older brother Dean and a younger sister. He attended Littlemoss High School in Droylsden, where he started dealing cannabis and developed an obsession with knives at a young age. Family instability marked his childhood after his father left, remarrying a former Greater Manchester Police officer.

Cregan’s teenage years involved petty crime and substance abuse, setting the stage for his criminal career. He spent 18 months in Tenerife with his sister, honing survival skills abroad. By his early 20s, back in Manchester, he escalated to collecting firearms, amassing around ten weapons including machine guns.

Family Background

Cregan’s brother Dean Moores, using a different surname, faced his own legal troubles, jailed for stabbing in 2021. The family dynamics fueled resentment, with Cregan viewing himself as a protector amid gang threats. No public records show parental involvement post-crimes.

Criminal Beginnings

Cregan entered the drug trade by age 22, dealing cocaine and claiming £20,000 weekly profits while posing as a plasterer. He dominated Tameside’s underworld, intimidating locals and running operations in east Manchester. Early arrests for violence and weapons led to bail releases, allowing him to evade full scrutiny.

His network included county lines for heroin and cocaine distribution to areas like Morecambe and High Peak. Cregan boasted of his “hard man” status, staring down rivals and using fear as currency. A £50,000 police reward highlighted his elusiveness during manhunts.

Drug Empire Details

Operations spanned Manchester and Stockport safehouses, linked to the “Lex Line” syndicate led by Clint Curtis. Cregan sourced M75 grenades from former Yugoslavian stocks, unusual for UK criminals. Profits funded lavish lifestyles, including Lake District holidays amid pursuits.

Gang Feud Origins

Tensions ignited over disputes with the Short family, starting with conflicts involving Cregan’s associates. Mark Short, 23, became the first target after socializing at the Cotton Tree Inn in Droylsden. Cregan viewed the Shorts as threats to his dominance in local rackets.

Rivalries involved drug territories and personal slights, escalating to threats on life warnings from Greater Manchester Police. David Short received three such alerts in 2012. Cregan’s paranoia drove preemptive strikes.

Short Family Conflict

Mark Short’s death stemmed from a pub argument proxy war. David Short, 46, sought no revenge but feared retaliation. Police issued 130 threat warnings yearly, underscoring Manchester’s gang violence epidemic.

Mark Short Murder

On May 25, 2012, Cregan stormed the Cotton Tree Inn in Droylsden, firing shots at close range killing Mark Short instantly and wounding three others. Accomplices Luke Livesey and Damian Gorman assisted, turning the pub into a bloodbath. This hit marked Cregan’s revenge opener.

The attack used handguns in a crowded venue, injuring John Collins, Ryan Pridding, and Michael Belcher. Cregan fled, sparking a manhunt. It signaled his willingness for public brutality.

Pub Attack Aftermath

Witnesses described chaos as Mark died in his father’s arms nearby. Police linked it to gang debts. Livesey and Gorman later received life sentences with 33-year minimums.

David Short Killing

August 10, 2012, saw Cregan, Anthony Wilkinson, and Jermaine Ward ambush David Short at his Clayton home, shooting him nine times with a Glock pistol. Cregan then hurled an M75 grenade onto his body, causing massive disfigurement. Later that day, he attacked Sharon Hark’s home with another grenade.

Pursuit through an alleyway ensured no escape. The same Glock later killed the officers. Wilkinson fired key shots, confirmed by 2025 ballistic finds.

Grenade Explosion

The Yugoslavian grenade detonated against Short, horror unfolding in residential streets. Ward and Wilkinson got life terms, 35 and 33 years minimum. Cregan holidayed in the Lake District pre-attack.

Police Officers Ambush

September 18, 2012, Cregan made a fake 999 burglary call to Abbey Gardens, Mottram, luring PCs Nicola Hughes, 23, and Fiona Bone, 32. Upon arrival, he fired 32 Glock shots in 31 seconds, then lobbed an M75 grenade. Hughes died instantly; Bone, reaching for her Taser, succumbed soon after.

The unarmed officers had no chance in the premeditated trap. Cregan drove to Hyde Police Station, surrendering with, “I’ve murdered two police officers.” Nation horrified by the savagery.

Victims’ Profiles

Nicola Hughes from Diggle embraced life enthusiastically, touching many hearts. Fiona Bone, 32, showed total commitment in service. Families paid tributes emphasizing sacrifice.

Self-Surrender

Post-ambush, Cregan calmly handed himself in at Hyde station, dropping the gun. He admitted killings openly, ending his spree. Police stunned by audacity after weeks on run.

Billboards and Manchester City stadium screens displayed his image with £50,000 reward. Network protected him initially. Surrender shifted from fugitive to confessed killer.

Trial Proceedings

At Preston Crown Court, a 12-week trial in 2013 saw Cregan plead guilty mid-way to four murders and attempts. Judge Mr. Justice Holroyde called it “premeditated savagery.” Jury cleared one grenade charge.

Cregan smiled post-verdicts, shaking hands with co-defendants. Mohammed Imran Ali got seven years for assisting. No remorse shown.

Court Sentencing

June 13, 2013, whole life order ensured no release. Holroyde noted cold-blooded determination. Accomplices sentenced alongside.

Life Sentence

Cregan received whole life, rare for UK, meaning death in custody. Transferred from Full Sutton to Ashworth Hospital soon after for mental health. No parole possible.

Prison behavior included graffiti at HMP Forest Bank, costing £595. Eye surgery controversies arose in 2014.

Prison Transfers

Moved to Ashworth, then high-security ops to Manchester Eye Hospital for growth. December 2025 saw nighttime shift to Aintree University Hospital.

Lost Eye Mystery

Cregan lost his left eye, claiming a Thai policeman knuckle-duster fight. Rivals allegedly gouged it; police doubt self-story. 2013 £20,000 bounty targeted remaining eye from southern syndicate.

Armed escorts for 2014 NHS surgery sparked outrage. Recent visits possibly for right eye growth.

Eye Injury Claims

Boasted to friends pre-fame. Sympathy-driven bounties post-conviction. Protected transfers underscore threats.

Accomplices Roles

Luke Livesey and Damian Gorman aided Mark Short hit, life 33 years. Jermaine Ward, Anthony Wilkinson in David Short murder, similar terms. All pursued Shorts ruthlessly.

Ward exploded grenade context. Wilkinson wielded gun recovered 2025. Network enabled escapes.

Greater Manchester Impact

Cregan’s spree exposed gang grenade access, prompting threat warning surges. Worst police killings in decades shook GMP. Memorials honor Hughes and Bone.

County lines dismantled post-investigation. Public fear lingered in Tameside, Droylsden. Police procedures reviewed for lone responses.

Policing Changes

Bogus calls now trigger caution. Officers’ tributes highlight commitment. 130 annual threats showed crisis depth.

Media Coverage

Documentaries like “Crimes That Shook Britain” detailed saga. BBC, Sky News timelines unfolded terror. Social media recirculated in 2025-2026 transfers.

Reddit threads call him “one-eyed cop killer.” Instagram, Facebook posts on moves viral. Folk hero to some underworld.

Documentaries

Crime+Investigation UK episodes focus aftermath. YouTube CCTV of brother. No official books, but profiles abound.

Psychological Profile

Cregan showed no remorse, smiling in court. Gang culture fetishized violence from youth. Mental transfer suggests issues.

Paranoia drove preemptive kills. Narcissism in surrender bravado. Experts note knife obsession early sign.

Victim Memorials

Hughes and Bone remembered via plaques, annual tributes. Fathers spoke of daughters’ vibrancy. Short family grief compounded.

Services mark anniversaries. GMP supports families ongoing. Public donations funded honors.

Recent Developments

December 2025, transferred Ashworth to Aintree under heavy guard for medical. Possible eye-related, echoing past. No escape risks reported.

2025 gun recovery tied Wilkinson. Graffiti incidents persist. Whole life intact.

Hospital Moves

Night ops ensure security. Public hospital staff protected. Claims Thailand injury repeated.

Gang Culture Manchester

Cregan’s rise mirrored east Manchester feuds, drugs fueling arms races. Tameside “ran things” via intimidation. County lines exported misery.

Post-2012 crackdowns reduced grenades. Rival bounties show ongoing hatred. Folk anti-hero status faded.

Practical Information

No public visits to crime sites; memorials at Mottram, Droylsden pubs closed or rebranded. Abbey Gardens private. Court records online via judiciary.uk.

Documentaries stream on Crime+Investigation UK. GMP site has officer tributes. Travel to Tameside via Manchester trams, buses from Piccadilly.

Tips: Respect victim privacy; avoid glorification sites. Read official reports for facts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Dale Cregan?

Dale Cregan is a Manchester criminal convicted of four 2012 murders, including two police officers. Born 1983 in Tameside, he dealt drugs from teens. Whole life sentence keeps him jailed.

What did Dale Cregan do?

He killed Mark Short in a pub shooting, David Short with gun and grenade, then ambushed PCs Hughes and Bone. Used fake call to lure officers. Surrendered admitting all.

When did Dale Cregan kill the police officers?

September 18, 2012, in Mottram. Fired 32 shots, threw grenade in 31 seconds. Officers responded to his hoax burglary report.

Where is Dale Cregan now?

In high-security facility, recently transferred to Aintree Hospital December 2025 from Ashworth. Eye treatments under guard.

Why did Dale Cregan murder the Shorts?

Gang feud revenge; Mark Short targeted over disputes, father David to prevent retaliation. Part of Tameside drug wars.

How did Dale Cregan lose his eye?

Claims Thai fight with knuckle-duster; possibly gouged by rivals. £20,000 bounty on other eye post-conviction.

What sentence did Dale Cregan get?

Whole life imprisonment June 2013, Preston Crown Court. No parole for “premeditated savagery.”

Who were Cregan’s accomplices?

Livesey, Gorman for Mark Short; Ward, Wilkinson for David Short. All life sentences, 33-35 year minimums.

Can I visit Dale Cregan crime scenes?

Sites like Abbey Gardens private; pubs changed. Respect memorials, no glorification.

What is the best documentary on Dale Cregan?

“Crimes That Shook Britain” episode covers full story. Crime+Investigation UK detailed.

How much was the reward for Dale Cregan?

£50,000 during manhunt, billboards at Manchester City stadium. Surrender ended it.

Did Dale Cregan show remorse?

None evident; smiled in court, no apology. Judge noted lack of compassion.

What weapons did Dale Cregan use?

Glock 17 pistol, M75 grenades from Yugoslavia. Same gun for all murders.

Is Dale Cregan related to other criminals?

Brother Dean Moores jailed for stabbing. Family from Manchester.

What changed after Cregan killings?

GMP reviewed call responses, more threat warnings. Highlighted gang grenade threats.

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BySnehasish