A MAN has been charged with murder following the shooting of a 23-year-old man in May in Droylsden, Manchester.

Leon Atkinson was arrested following a dramatic early morning raid at an address on Ivy Avenue in Newton-le-Willows on Thursday, October 18.

The 34-year-old, who at the time of the shootings lived with his partner and young daughter in Squires Lane, Tyldesley, has been subsequently charged with the murder of Mark Short and the attempted murder of three other men in May at the Cotton Tree Inn on Market Street.

Following an initial appearance before Manchester Magistrates’ Court, Atkinson’s case was transferred to Liverpool, where he is due to appear on Monday, November 5.

Dale Cregan, 29, has been charged with the murder of Mark Short and his father David. He is also accused of killing police officers Fiona Bone, 32, and Nicola Hughes, 23, of Greater Manchester Police, in September.