The nephew of killer Dale Cregan has been jailed for three years for drug dealing, theft and criminal damage. 

Oscar Cregan, 20, from Tameside, was jailed at Manchester Crown Court for being concerned in the supply of cannabis, crack cocaine and heroin.

Cregan’s drug dealing activities were discovered when he was searched as part of an investigation into the theft of a Rolex Yachtmaster watch worth £5,000 from a pawnbroker in Plymouth.

Based on CCTV and images circulated nationwide following the theft of the expensive watch, Cregan was searched and found to be wearing the same the jacket he wore when carrying out the offence. He also had a Rolex watch on his wrist, although it wasn’t believed to be the one that had been stolen from Plymouth.

The search also revealed two mobile phones. Police say the data from both of these phones was downloaded, showing hundreds of messages regarding the supply of cocaine, heroin and cannabis.

These ‘blast’ messages advertised the sale of drugs to a large number of contacts on various times and dates and were, in essence, county lines drugs lines – one being operated in Morecambe and the other in the High Peak. Both were run from his address at the time in Manchester.

While in custody, Cregan went on to scratch graffiti into a door and was subsequently arrested and charged with criminal damage as well.

Cregan received three years in a Young Offender’s Institute for all of the offences when he appeared in court via video link.

DC Daniel Riley, of the Economic Crime Unit, said: “This result was a fantastic example of all the police forces in the UK working together to identify, prosecute and convict criminals, who think nothing of committing crimes, no matter where they are.

“We are very grateful to all of those involved, which has led to a drug dealer being taken off the streets of Tameside.

“We would urge anyone who has information regarding drug dealing activities taking place in the district of Tameside, to come forward and report them to us on 101 or via the LiveChat Function on our website www.gmp.police.uk.

“You can also report your concerns anonymously through the independent charity, Crimestoppers, on 0800 555 111.”

Dale Cregan was jailed for life for the murders of David Short, 46, and son Mark, 23, and of policewomen Nicola Hughes, 23, and Fiona Bone, 32, in a horrifying gun and grenade attack in 2012.

Read more from the Tameside Reporter

Click here for more of the latest news

Click here to read the latest edition of the paper online

Click here to find out where you can pick up a copy of the paper