Manchester student Luke O’Connor, who was stabbed to death in Fallowfield when his killer reacted “violently and unpredictably” to a joke, is to be honoured with a posthumous award by his university.
The 19-year-old, who was an undergraduate student in his second year of a Business Management degree at Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU) before he lost his life at the hands of fellow student, Shiloh Pottinger, is to be remembered and honoured by the university at their upcoming graduation ceremonies this summer.
20-year-old Pottinger, a student at the BIMM Institute, was found to have stabbed O’Connor eight times with a “mafia stiletto” knife in Fallowfield during the early hours of the morning on Wednesday 26 October 2022.
Manchester Crown Court heard this week how “gentle giant” O’Connor had been travelling home from a party when he came across and was stabbed multiple times by Pottinger.
Shiloh Pottinger has been sentenced to 15 years in jail for manslaughter / Credit: GMP
Pottinger was said to have reacted “violently and unpredictably” to a joking remark made about his skateboard, before attacking and leaving O’Connor lying in the street on Wilmslow Road – where he later died despite the best CPR efforts from emergency services that were flagged down by members of the public.
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Pottinger was sentenced to 15 years in jail for manslaughter this week (Monday 19 June), and will serve at least 10 years of that sentence before he can be considered for release.
Following Pottinger’s sentencing this week, Luke’s mother Carolyn appeared in a harrowing video message and spoke about the devastation the O’Connor family faces in the wake of the death of their youngest son, claiming Pottinger’s sentence “in no way compares to our life sentence”.
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Carolyn insisted that her son will not have died in vain – and it appears MMU wants to help with that.
Any students affected can contact our Counselling, Mental Health and Wellbeing Service via email at [email protected] or telephone on 0161 247 3493.
Paying tribute to their former student, an MMU spokesman described O’Connor as a “bright, talented and much-loved” member of the university community, the BBC reports.
“His death was a terrible shock to everyone,” they added.
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“Our professionally trained counselling team has continued to offer support to any students and staff who are affected”.
The University says it has told the O’Connor family that they will honour Luke and intend to “recognise his work and contribution to the university” with a posthumous award at one of the upcoming graduation ceremonies next month.
The O’Connors have been invited to the ceremony to receive the award on Luke’s behalf.
Featured Image – GMP
News
Beloved local comedian Justin Moorhouse pays touching tribute to son Barney
Daisy Jackson
Justin Moorhouse has shared a touching tribute to his son, after announcing over the weekend that Barney had passed away.
The much-loved Tameside comedian wrote that the family are ‘besides themselves with grief’, before later sharing some of his favourite memories of his son, who was in his 20s.
Justin Moorhouse, who starred in Phoenix Nights and just recently performed at the Manchester Opera House on his ‘The Greatest Performance of My Life’ tour, described his son as ‘the sweetest, kindest soul’.
He wrote that Barney ‘just went to sleep and didn’t wake up’.
Following the heartbreaking news, Justin shared three of his fondest memories with his son, including a Flaming Lips gig in Leeds, Bleachers at the O2 Ritz in Manchester, and a trip to the US.
He wrote: “Some of my favourite memories of Barney are music gigs. I am so lucky to have enjoyed loads of stuff he did and obviously hates loads too!
“Luckily, he didn’t think I was too awkward to hang out with at gigs… How lucky I’ve been to have him.”
On Saturday, Justin Moorhouse shared: “It is with the heaviest of hearts I have to tell you our beautiful boy Barney has passed away. Me, his mum and step mum, his sister, cousins, aunts and uncles, grandparents and his gorgeous friends are besides ourselves with grief.
“I am consoling myself as much as I can knowing that he loved us all and knew we loved him.
“He was so happy, content and excited about the future. The sweetest, kindest soul.
“He just went to sleep and didn’t wake up.
“I can’t imagine how the next days and weeks will unfold but I know we are able to cope – love always helps.
“I am him and he is me. Sleep tight Barney. Dad x
“Appreciate your kindness and sensitivity towards the family at this time.”
Government officially approves Eton’s plan to ‘remove barriers’ and open new FREE college in Oldham
Emily Sergeant
Eton’s plans to open a new free college in Oldham will officially go ahead following Government approval this week.
In case you need bringing up to speed a bit, plans for three new post-16 colleges – with the other two being in Dudley and Middlesborough – that are designed to help give young people who’ve done well in their GCSEs the opportunity to achieve the A-Levels they need to go to Oxbridge and other elite universities across the world were first announced back in March 2022, and then given the green light in August 2023.
Eton has partnered with Star Academies – which is said to be the highest-performing state school trust in the country – for the new colleges.
The colleges will aim to recruit ‘dynamic young people from deprived communities’, including in Oldham, and provide them with a ‘rigorous and rounded education’ that supports their ambitions to achieve places at ‘the very best universities’.
Oldham Council has welcomed the news that the new college – set to be named Eton Star Oldham – will go ahead, after the Government confirmed the conclusion of its national review into the proposals.
The decision means that Oldham will become one of the first places in the country to offer this new education model that combines high standards with strong partnerships and expanded opportunities for local young people.
The Government has officially approved Eton’s plan to open a new free college in Oldham / Credit: Wikimedia Commons
Approval means pupils from every background will soon have access to the ‘very best’ opportunities.
Cllr Arooj Shah, who is the Leader of Oldham Coucil, said this is ‘great news’ for Oldham, adding: “Eton Star Oldham will give our young people access to life-changing opportunities, no matter their background or where they start in life.
“We have been clear throughout that this must be a college shaped with our young people, our parents and our communities.
“Now that the Government has confirmed it will go ahead, we will work closely with Eton College and Star Academies to make sure this delivers for Oldham’s children and opens doors for generations to come.”
Emily Sergeant -
21st June 2023 
