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Trial

Crime Files

Trial

Dale Cregan’s 19-week trial at Preston Crown Court began with him pleading 'not guilty'. He changed his plea to 'guilty' in the second week of the trial, and was eventually given a whole life sentence for the four murders of Mark and David Short, PC Nicola Hughes and PC Fiona Bone. This means he will remain incarcerated until the day he dies.

Five others, including Anthony Wilkinson (who’d also gone on the run with Cregan) were found guilty for their involvement in the Short murders. Dale Cregan is currently being held at psychiatric unit Ashworth Hospital in Merseyside, the same facility as Moors Murderer, Ian Brady.