The mother of 19-year-old student who was stabbed to death as he walked home from a party has delivered a blistering statement in court as her son's killer was jailed for 15 years.
Luke O'Connor, who was studying at Manchester Metropolitan University, was repeatedly knifed on his way home from a Halloween event by Shiloh Pottinger, 20 with a 'mafia stiletto' knife.
Pottinger had reacted 'violently and unpredictably' after a joke was made about his skateboard by Luke's friend. Luke was killed during the horrifying attack on Wilmslow Road in Fallowfield in October last year.
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Pottinger, a music producer studying at BIMM university, was found not guilty of murder by a jury, but convicted of manslaughter following a three-week trial.
During a sentencing hearing at Manchester Crown Court today (June 19), Carolyn O'Connor fought back tears, as she took to the witness box to deliver a victim impact statement.
She told the court her family have been on the 'worst rollercoaster you could imagine.' "Luke was not looking for a fight that night. The court has seen the CCTV that proves this. It was not in his DNA," she said.
"Luke had chosen to walk away from something that was escalating." She said her son paid the 'ultimate price' for 'standing up to his killer'.
Mr O'Connor's mother hit out at Pottinger, claiming he was 'blowing kisses' to his family during the trial. "What I would do to see my son and blow kisses," she said.
Addressing the defendant, she said: "This person has shown no remorse and has not taken any responsibility for his actions. I refuse for your name to pass my lips because you don't deserve it. You took his last breath. You tore our hearts out and shattered our lives."
Describing her son, Luke's mum said he was 'beautiful and kind’. "He had the ability to light up any room he went into," she said.
"He was a gentle giant, and had a heart of gold. He really was living life to the full. He was kind, he saw the positive in anything or anyone, and he was calm. Luke made me proud every single day of his life. That is one thing that can never be taken away from me."
A statement from Luke's father, Jason O'Connor, was also read to the court on his behalf by the prosecution. In it, he told of his devastation at the loss of his youngest child.
He added that Manchester Metropolitan University will award a posthumous diploma for the business management student next month in honour of his work.
"I miss him more than I can explain in words," the statement concluded.
Pottinger's defence barrister, Siobhan Grey KC said her client had no previous convictions and was of 'good character', and displayed a 'lack of maturity' at the time of the killing, when he was aged 19.
Ms Grey said Pottinger was a music production student at BIMM university in Manchester at the time of the killing, and said there were 'no indications' of what would go on to happen.
Sentencing Pottinger, Judge Nicholas Dean KC said: "Many parents feel a sense of 'trepidation' when their children go off to university.
"No parent, though, expects their child to be senselessly attacked and killed. Their child's life, to be taken away in events from start to finish, which lasted just a handful of seconds."
Judge Dean said he agreed with Mr O'Connor's mother that Pottinger had shown 'no remorse' for his actions that night. "You have felt sorry for one person and one person only, that is yourself," he said.
The judge said he was satisfied that Pottinger met the test of being classed as a 'dangerous' offender but said he didn't consider a life sentence or extended sentence necessary.
He sentenced Pottinger to 15 years in jail, of which he will serve two-thirds in custody. Judge Dean said he would have sentenced Pottinger to 18 years, but reduced it by three years for his youth, immaturity and previous good character.
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