A man who was arrested in connection with the murder of policewomen Nicola Hughes and Fiona Bone has been released without charge, according to Sky News.

Stephen Garvey, 28, was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit murder on Thursday.

Police were given extra time to question Garvey on Friday, which would have extended until 9.15am on Saturday. The Daily Telegraph have reported that the 28-year-old is a supporter of the English Defence League on Facebook.

The other suspect, Dale Cregan, appeared at Manchester City Magistrates' Court on Friday. He wore a false black onyx eye in his left eye socket and spoke only to confirm his name and date of birth.

Cregan is accused of murdering the Greater Manchester police officers in a gun and grenade attack in Hattersley.

He also faces charges of murdering father and son David and Mark Short earlier this year as well as four attempted murders.

dale cregan court sketch

A court sketch of Cregan appearing at Manchester Magistrates' Court

The proceedings were held amid a ring of steel as officers in high-visibility yellow jackets stood guard on street corners around the city centre building.

Inside the court complex, armed officers wearing dark glasses, black uniforms and carrying Heckler and Koch machine guns stood guard.

There were more armed officers outside court number 16, the courtroom where Cregan appeared after he arrived in a convoy of police vehicles and into an underground car park.

Cregan was brought into the secure dock flanked by four police officers.

Two more officers dressed in military-style fatigues and armed with machine guns stood outside the dock.


greater manchester police

Police lay flowers at the scene where two female officers were killed in Manchester

Cregan, who has grown a thick beard, scanned the courtroom and stared over at the public gallery, where relatives of the Short family were seated.

Mark Short, 23, died from a gunshot wound to his neck after a gunman entered a pub and opened fire, around 11.50pm at the the Cotton Tree Inn, on Market Street, in Droylsden, Tameside, on May 25.

Cregan is also accused of the attempted murders of Michael Belcher, Ryan Pridding and John Short, who were in the pub at the time.

Eleven weeks later, on August 10, the victim's father, David Short, 46, died in a grenade and gun attack on his home on Folkestone Road East, in Clayton, Manchester, at around 10.30am.

Less than 10 minutes later on the same day there was another grenade explosion less than half a mile away on Luke Road, Droylsden.

Cregan faces a further allegation of attempted murder of Sharon Hark arising from the incidents on that day.

He will next appear at Manchester Crown Court on Monday.

More to follow..

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  • Manchester shootings

    Court artist sketch by Elizabeth Cook of Dale Cregan at Manchester Crown Court where he is accused of four murders including the shooting and grenade attack that killed two policewomen.

  • BRITAIN-POLICE-CRIME-SHOOTING

    A British armed police unit secures the area as he waits for the police van believed to be transporting Dale Cregan, the man charged with the murders of two police officers in a gun and grenade attack, to leave Manchester magistrates court in Manchester, north-west England on September 21, 2012. Female police officers Nicola Hughes, 23, and Fiona Bone, 32, were killed as they responded to what they thought was a routine burglary call in Tameside, Greater Manchester, northwestern England, on September 18. Cregan, who is also accused of killing father and son David and Mark Short in separate incidents earlier this year, has been charged with four counts of murder, Greater Manchester Police said. AFP PHOTO / ANDREW YATES (Photo credit should read ANDREW YATES/AFP/GettyImages)

  • BRITAIN-POLICE-CRIME-SHOOTING

    The police van believed to be transporting Dale Cregan, the man charged with the murders of two police officers in a gun and grenade attack, leaves Manchester magistrates court in Manchester, north-west England on September 21, 2012. Female police officers Nicola Hughes, 23, and Fiona Bone, 32, were killed as they responded to what they thought was a routine burglary call in Tameside, Greater Manchester, northwestern England, on September 18. Cregan, who is also accused of killing father and son David and Mark Short in separate incidents earlier this year, has been charged with four counts of murder, Greater Manchester Police said. AFP PHOTO / ANDREW YATES (Photo credit should read ANDREW YATES/AFP/GettyImages)

  • BRITAIN-POLICE-CRIME-SHOOTING

    The police van believed to be transporting suspect Dale Cregan, the man charged with the murders of two police officers in a gun and grenade attack, leaves Manchester magistrates court in Manchester, north-west England on September 21, 2012. Female police officers Nicola Hughes, 23, and Fiona Bone, 32, were killed as they responded to what they thought was a routine burglary call in Tameside, Greater Manchester, northwestern England, on September 18. Cregan, who is also accused of killing father and son David and Mark Short in separate incidents earlier this year, has been charged with four counts of murder, Greater Manchester Police said. AFP PHOTO / ANDREW YATES (Photo credit should read ANDREW YATES/AFP/GettyImages)

  • Manchester shootings

    A police van believed to be carrying Dale Cregan leaves Manchester Magistrates Court, Manchester, where he appeared accused of four murders including the shooting and grenade attack that killed two policewomen.

  • Manchester shootings

    Armed police on the streets as a police van believed to be carrying Dale Cregan (not pictured) leaves Manchester Magistrates Court, Manchester, where he appeared accused of four murders including the shooting and grenade attack that killed two policewomen.

  • Manchester shootings

    A police van believed to be carrying Dale Cregan arrives at HMP Manchester Prison, Manchester, after he appeared at Manchester Crown Court accused of four murders including the shooting and grenade attack that killed two policewomen.

  • Manchester shootings

    Armed police stand guard as a police van believed to be carrying Dale Cregan (not pictured) arrives at HMP Manchester Prison, Manchester, after he appeared at Manchester Crown Court accused of four murders including the shooting and grenade attack that killed two policewomen.

  • Manchester shootings

    Armed police stand guard as a police van believed to be carrying Dale Cregan (not pictured) arrives at HMP Manchester Prison, Manchester, after he appeared at Manchester Crown Court accused of four murders including the shooting and grenade attack that killed two policewomen.

  • Dale Cregan Appears At Manchester City Magistrates' Court To Face Murder Charges

    MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 21: A police officer stands guard as Dale Cregan arrives in an armed convoy to face charges of murder and attempted murder at Manchester City Magistrates' Court on September 21, 2012 in Manchester, England. Dale Cregan, 29, stands accused of four murders, including PC Nicola Hughes and PC Fiona Bone on September 18, and also in two separate attacks earlier this year of Mark Short and his father David Short. Cregan is also being charged with an additional four counts of attempted murder. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)

  • Dale Cregan Appears At Manchester City Magistrates' Court To Face Murder Charges

    MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 21: Police officers stand guard as Dale Cregan arrives in an armed convoy to face charges of murder and attempted murder at Manchester City Magistrates' Court on September 21, 2012 in Manchester, England. Dale Cregan, 29, stands accused of four murders, including PC Nicola Hughes and PC Fiona Bone on September 18, and also in two separate attacks earlier this year of Mark Short and his father David Short. Cregan is also being charged with an additional four counts of attempted murder. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)

  • Dale Cregan Appears At Manchester City Magistrates' Court To Face Murder Charges

    MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 21: A police officer stands guard as Dale Cregan arrives in an armed convoy to face charges of murder and attempted murder at Manchester City Magistrates' Court on September 21, 2012 in Manchester, England. Dale Cregan, 29, stands accused of four murders, including PC Nicola Hughes and PC Fiona Bone on September 18, and also in two separate attacks earlier this year of Mark Short and his father David Short. Cregan is also being charged with an additional four counts of attempted murder. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)

  • Dale Cregan Appears At Manchester City Magistrates' Court To Face Murder Charges

    MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 21: Police officers stand guard as Dale Cregan arrives in an armed convoy to face charges of murder and attempted murder at Manchester City Magistrates' Court on September 21, 2012 in Manchester, England. Dale Cregan, 29, stands accused of four murders, including PC Nicola Hughes and PC Fiona Bone on September 18, and also in two separate attacks earlier this year of Mark Short and his father David Short. Cregan is also being charged with an additional four counts of attempted murder. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)

  • Manchester shootings

    A police van believed to be carrying Dale Cregan arrives at Manchester Magistrates Court, Manchester, where he will appear charged with the murders of two police officers in a gun and grenade attack.

  • Manchester shootings

    An armed police officer guards the streets near Manchester Magistrates Court, Manchester, where Dale Cregan will appear charged with the murders of two police officers in a gun and grenade attack.

  • Manchester shootings

    An armed police officer guards the streets near Manchester Magistrates Court, Manchester, where Dale Cregan will appear charged with the murders of two police officers in a gun and grenade attack.

  • Manchester shootings

    A police van believed to be carrying Dale Cregan arrives at Manchester Magistrates Court, Manchester, where he will appear charged with the murders of two police officers in a gun and grenade attack.

  • Police Officers Killed While Responding To Burglary Call In Manchester

    MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 19: Candles burn in remembrance of WPC's Nicola Hughes and Fiona Bone during a service at Saint Barnabas Church, Hattersley on September 19, 2012 in Manchester, England. Local man Dale Cregan, 29, has been arrested in connection with the shooting of WPC's Nicola Hughes and Fiona Bone, who were killed as they responded to a routine incident at Abbey Gardens in Hattersley shortly before 11am yesterday. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)

  • Police Officers Killed While Responding To Burglary Call In Manchester

    MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 19: Candles burn in remembrance of WPC's Nicola Hughes and Fiona Bone during a service at Saint Barnabas Church, Hattersley on September 19, 2012 in Manchester, England. Local man Dale Cregan, 29, has been arrested in connection with the shooting of WPC's Nicola Hughes and Fiona Bone, who were killed as they responded to a routine incident at Abbey Gardens in Hattersley shortly before 11am yesterday. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)

  • Police Officers Killed While Responding To Burglary Call In Manchester

    MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 19: Reverends Lesley Harding and James Halstead conduct a service of remembrance for WPC's Nicola Hughes and Fiona Bone at Saint Barnabas Church, Hattersley on September 19, 2012 in Manchester, England. Local man Dale Cregan, 29, has been arrested in connection with the shooting of WPC's Nicola Hughes and Fiona Bone, who were killed as they responded to a routine incident at Abbey Gardens in Hattersley shortly before 11am yesterday. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)

  • Police Officers Killed While Responding To Burglary Call In Manchester

    MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 19: Members of the public bring floral tributes in memory of WPC's Nicola Hughes and Fiona Bone in Hattersley on September 19, 2012 in Manchester, England. Local man Dale Cregan, 29, has been arrested in connection with the shooting of WPC's Nicola Hughes and Fiona Bone, who were killed as they responded to a routine incident at Abbey Gardens in Hattersley shortly before 11am yesterday. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)

  • BRITAIN-POLICE-CRIME-SHOOTING

    Flowers are left at the headquaters of Greater Manchester Police in Manchester, northwest England, to pay respect to two female police officers who were killed while responding to a call out to the Hattersley Estate in Mottram in Greater Manchester. A top British policeman warned on September 19 against rushing into any move to routinely arm officers after two unarmed policewomen were killed in a gun and grenade attack. Fiona Bone, 32, and Nicola Hughes, 23, died after going to investigate a reported robbery on September 18. AFP PHOTO / ANDREW YATES (Photo credit should read ANDREW YATES/AFP/GettyImages)

  • BRITAIN-POLICE-CRIME-SHOOTING

    Flowers are left at the headquaters of Greater Manchester Police in Manchester, northwest England, to pay respect to two female police officers who were killed while responding to a call out to the Hattersley Estate in Mottram in Greater Manchester. A top British policeman warned on September 19 against rushing into any move to routinely arm officers after two unarmed policewomen were killed in a gun and grenade attack. Fiona Bone, 32, and Nicola Hughes, 23, died after going to investigate a reported robbery on September 18. AFP PHOTO / ANDREW YATES (Photo credit should read ANDREW YATES/AFP/GettyImages)

  • Manchester shootings

    Police forensic officers search the scene of a shooting in Hattersley, Greater Manchester, as two unarmed female police officers have died after attending a "routine incident" which led to the arrest of one of the country's most wanted men.

  • Manchester shootings

    Forensic officers at the scene close to where police constables Fiona Bone, 32, and Nicola Hughes, 23, where killed in Hattersley, Greater Manchester.

  • Manchester shootings

    A Greater Manchester Police officer lays flowers at the scene where police constables Fiona Bone, 32, and Nicola Hughes, 23, where killed in Hattersley, Greater Manchester.

  • Manchester shootings

    A Greater Manchester Police officer lays flowers at the scene where police constables Fiona Bone, 32, and Nicola Hughes, 23, where killed in Hattersley, Greater Manchester.

  • Manchester shootings

    Greater Manchester Police officers observe a minute's silence near to the scene where police constables Fiona Bone, 32, and Nicola Hughes, 23, where killed in Hattersley, Greater Manchester.

  • Manchester shootings

    Floral tributes at the scene where police constables Fiona Bone, 32, and Nicola Hughes, 23, where killed in Hattersley, Greater Manchester.

  • Manchester shootings

    Floral tributes at the scene where police constables Fiona Bone, 32, and Nicola Hughes, 23, where killed in Hattersley, Greater Manchester.

  • Manchester shootings

    Floral tributes at the scene where police constables Fiona Bone, 32, and Nicola Hughes, 23, where killed in Hattersley, Greater Manchester.

  • Manchester shootings

    Floral tributes at the scene where police constables Fiona Bone, 32, and Nicola Hughes, 23, where killed in Hattersley, Greater Manchester.

  • Manchester shootings

    Floral tributes at the scene where police constables Fiona Bone, 32, and Nicola Hughes, 23, where killed in Hattersley, Greater Manchester.

  • Manchester shootings

    Floral tributes at the scene where police constables Fiona Bone, 32, and Nicola Hughes, 23, where killed in Hattersley, Greater Manchester.

  • Manchester shootings

    Floral tributes at the scene where police constables Fiona Bone, 32, and Nicola Hughes, 23, where killed in Hattersley, Greater Manchester.

  • Manchester shootings

    Amy (surname not given) leaves a floral tribute at the scene where police constables Fiona Bone, 32, and Nicola Hughes, 23, where killed in Hattersley, Greater Manchester.

  • Manchester shootings

    Floral tributes at the scene where police constables Fiona Bone, 32, and Nicola Hughes, 23, where killed in Hattersley, Greater Manchester.

  • Manchester shootings

    Floral tributes at the scene where police constables Fiona Bone, 32, and Nicola Hughes, 23, where killed in Hattersley, Greater Manchester.

  • Manchester shootings

    Amy (surname not given) leaves a floral tribute at the scene where police constables Fiona Bone, 32, and Nicola Hughes, 23, where killed in Hattersley, Greater Manchester.

  • Manchester shootings

    Floral tributes at the scene where police constables Fiona Bone, 32, and Nicola Hughes, 23, where killed in Hattersley, Greater Manchester.

  • Manchester shootings

    Floral tributes at the scene where police constables Fiona Bone, 32, and Nicola Hughes, 23, where killed in Hattersley, Greater Manchester.

  • Manchester shootings

    Floral tributes at the scene where police constables Fiona Bone, 32, and Nicola Hughes, 23, where killed in Hattersley, Greater Manchester.

  • Manchester shootings

    Floral tributes at the scene where police constables Fiona Bone, 32, and Nicola Hughes, 23, where killed in Hattersley, Greater Manchester.

  • Manchester shootings

    Floral tributes at the scene where police constables Fiona Bone, 32, and Nicola Hughes, 23, where killed in Hattersley, Greater Manchester.

  • PC Nicola Hughes killed in Manchester

  • Manchester shootings

    Floral tributes at the scene where police constables Fiona Bone, 32, and Nicola Hughes, 23, where killed in Hattersley, Greater Manchester.

  • PC Fiona Bone killed in Manchester

  • Manchester shootings

    Floral tributes at the scene where police constables Fiona Bone, 32, and Nicola Hughes, 23, where killed in Hattersley, Greater Manchester.

  • Manchester shootings

    Floral tributes at the scene where police constables Fiona Bone, 32, and Nicola Hughes, 23, where killed in Hattersley, Greater Manchester.

  • Manchester shootings

    Floral tributes at the scene where police constables Fiona Bone, 32, and Nicola Hughes, 23, where killed in Hattersley, Greater Manchester.

  • Manchester shootings

    Floral tributes at the scene where police constables Fiona Bone, 32, and Nicola Hughes, 23, where killed in Hattersley, Greater Manchester.