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Mum of murdered student Luke O’Connor shares devastating video statement as killer is sentenced

His killer has been jailed.

Daisy Jackson - 19th June 2023

The mother of Luke O’Connor, a 19-year-old undergraduate student who was stabbed to death in Fallowfield, has issued a powerful video statement through police as her son’s killer is jailed.

Shiloh Pottinger, 20, was sentenced to 15 years in jail for manslaughter on Monday 19 June.

He will serve at least 10 years of that sentence behind bars before he can be considered for release.

Manchester Crown Court heard how Luke had been travelling home from a party in the early hours of Wednesday 26 October 2022, when he came across and was stabbed multiple times by Pottinger.

Luke was left in the street, on Wilmslow Road, where he died despite CPR efforts from emergency services that were flagged down by members of the public.

His mother Carolyn has now spoken about the devastation the O’Connor family faces in the wake of the death of their youngest son.

She said that Pottinger’s sentence ‘in no way compares to our life sentence’, and insisted that her son will not have died in vain.

Carolyn pleaded for people not to carry knives and to speak out against those who do.

Watch Luke O’Connor’s mother pay tribute to her son:

She said in a video released through GMP: “Luke was my lively, bubbly, and beautiful little boy. He was the youngest of three boys in our family, and he was loved by so many people.

“He was a student at university and he loved the freedom of living in Manchester.

“He’d gone to a party that night like any other student, and was simply walking home. But he never made it.

“Luke was 19 years old and he had his whole life ahead of him. He had big dreams for his future and wanted to travel the world.

“But now those dreams can no longer happen.

“The person who snatched Luke from us will serve his time in jail, but he will still be able to see his family again. His family will not have to suffer in the way that we have.

“I will never see my son again, and our family has been left with a hole in our hearts that will never be filled.

“We cannot lose Luke for nothing, and if we can prevent this from happening to someone else, and encourage people not to carry knives and to actually think about the consequences, then his death will not be in vain.

Luke O'Connor was stabbed to death at the age of 19 — Luke O’Connor was stabbed to death at the age of 19. Credit: GMP

Shiloh Pottinger has been jailed for the murder of Luke O'Connor — Luke O’Connor was stabbed to death at the age of 19. Credit: GMP

“Knife crime is not just gang-related violence. This is happening on our streets as some think it’s normal to carry a knife. It’s not normal. If you know someone is carrying a knife, do the right thing, and speak out or report it to the police.

“Too many young lives are being taken and it has to stop.

“If there had been no knife that night, my Luke would still be with us, and I would not be here today.”

Detective Sergeant Laura Murray of GMP’s Major Incident Team said: “Luke was just 19-years-old when he was stabbed and killed on his way home. His parents have gone through something that no parent should have to go through.

“From the outset, the investigation team has worked tirelessly to secure the best possible outcome. I’m pleased the offender has been served a jail sentence however it will not bring Luke home to his family.

“Had Shiloh Pottinger not been carrying a knife that night, then Luke would not have died. This case shows very clearly the tragic consequences that come from carrying knives.

“Many other lives have also been ruined – those of family and friends.

“The police are working hard to tackle knife crime, but we need help. We need parents and teachers to challenge the idea that it’s acceptable to carry knives. And if you know or suspect a friend of yours is carrying a knife, you need to call out that behaviour.

“I’d now like to speak directly to anyone out there who carries a knife. Please I urge you to put it down before it’s too late. It will cost you your life.”

Featured image: GMP