Dale Cregan trial: Juror discharged for legal reasons

Dale Cregan denies the murders of David and Mark Short

One of the jurors in the trial of Dale Cregan and nine others accused over the murders of a father and son in Greater Manchester has been discharged.

The trial will continue with 11 jurors for legal reasons which cannot be reported, Mr Justice Holroyde said.

Earlier in the Preston Crown Court trial Cregan admitted killing PCs Fiona Bone, 32, and Nicola Hughes, 23, in a gun and grenade attack in September.

He continues to deny the murders of David Short 46, and his son Mark, 23.

Mark Short was killed at the Cotton Tree pub, on 25 May last year.

Explosion charge

Alongside Cregan, of no fixed address; Damian Gorman, 38, from Glossop; Leon Atkinson, 35, from Ashton-under-Lyne; Luke Livesey, 27, from Hattersley; Ryan Hadfield, 28, from Droylsden; and Matthew James, 33, from Clayton, are all accused of his murder.

They are also all accused of the attempted murders of three others in the pub at the time - John Collins, Ryan Pridding and Michael Belcher.

All six defendants deny the charges.

David Short was murdered on 10 August last year at his home in Clayton, Manchester.

Accused of his murder are Cregan, Francis Dixon, 37, from Stalybridge, Anthony Wilkinson, 38, from Manchester, and Jermaine Ward, 24.

All four are also jointly accused of the attempted murder of Sharon Hark on the same day, and a single charge of causing an explosion.

They all deny the charges.

Mr Wilkinson is additionally charged with possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life and Mohammed Ali, 32, from Chadderton, Greater Manchester, is accused of assisting an offender.