“I did feel better after killing him": Murder accused 'confessed he had best sleep of his life after shooting rival'
“I did feel better after killing him": Murder accused 'confessed he had best sleep of his life after shooting rival' Cregan has admitted the murder of Pcs Nicola Hughes and Fiona Bone in September last year, but denies the murders of David and Mark Short
On trial: Dale Cregan
PA
A one-eyed drug dealer admitted to a psychiatrist that he killed a father and son before going on to murder two police officers, a court was told today.Dale Cregan, 29, allegedly said he had “the best sleep of my life” after shooting David Short, 46, and then throwing a hand grenade which blew his body apart.He has already admitted the murder of PCs Nicola Hughes and Fiona Bone in Hattersley, Greater Manchester, last September but is on trial for murdering David and his son Mark, 23.Consultant forensic psychiatrist Dr James Collins said Cregan, who claimed to earn up to £20,000 a week from drugs, admitted all four killings during a jail interview.
Gunned down: PCs Fiona Bone and Nicola Hughes
PA
Cregan, he added, accused David Short of threatening to rape his sister and allegedly said: "I couldn't get him out of my head."It was on my mind constantly, I could not put the thoughts away. I thought if I kill him, maybe I will get a rest."When I was having my fantasies I used to think about stabbing him repeatedly, smashing his head with a hammer and cutting his head off."I shot David Short point-blank in the head, three times, but I would have preferred it if I would've used a knife."I felt calm before killing David Short but, after, a big relief rushed through my body.
Murdered: David Short and son Mark
Cavendish
"If I'd had time, I would have cut his head off and arms and legs. I would've gone and got a knife from the kitchen and used that."The thoughts were such, I knew I would have to do it. However, after I killed Mark Short, he said he would rape my son, he said he would set him on fire."He threatened my whole family. He told me 'The gloves are off'."So I was always going to kill him. It was not an urge - it was because what it was doing to me if I didn't do it."Preston crown court heard how Cregan, of no fixed address, lured the two police officers to a house then shot and hurled a grenade at them.
On trial: Dale Cregan PA
A one-eyed drug dealer admitted to a psychiatrist that he killed a father and son before going on to murder two police officers, a court was told today.Dale Cregan, 29, allegedly said he had “the best sleep of my life” after shooting David Short, 46, and then throwing a hand grenade which blew his body apart.He has already admitted the murder of PCs Nicola Hughes and Fiona Bone in Hattersley, Greater Manchester, last September but is on trial for murdering David and his son Mark, 23.Consultant forensic psychiatrist Dr James Collins said Cregan, who claimed to earn up to £20,000 a week from drugs, admitted all four killings during a jail interview.
Gunned down: PCs Fiona Bone and Nicola Hughes PA
Cregan, he added, accused David Short of threatening to rape his sister and allegedly said: "I couldn't get him out of my head."It was on my mind constantly, I could not put the thoughts away. I thought if I kill him, maybe I will get a rest."When I was having my fantasies I used to think about stabbing him repeatedly, smashing his head with a hammer and cutting his head off."I shot David Short point-blank in the head, three times, but I would have preferred it if I would've used a knife."I felt calm before killing David Short but, after, a big relief rushed through my body.
Murdered: David Short and son Mark Cavendish
"If I'd had time, I would have cut his head off and arms and legs. I would've gone and got a knife from the kitchen and used that."The thoughts were such, I knew I would have to do it. However, after I killed Mark Short, he said he would rape my son, he said he would set him on fire."He threatened my whole family. He told me 'The gloves are off'."So I was always going to kill him. It was not an urge - it was because what it was doing to me if I didn't do it."Preston crown court heard how Cregan, of no fixed address, lured the two police officers to a house then shot and hurled a grenade at them.