Man who stabbed student to death jailed for 15 years

A 20-year-old man has been jailed after stabbing a student to death.

Around 2am on 26 October 2022, Shiloh Pottinger was leaning on the wall with a skateboard on Wilmslow Road in Fallowfield, when Luke O’Connor, 19, and his two friends walked past on their way home after a party.

Mr O’Connor’s friend made a comment about Pottinger’s skateboard. Pottinger took exception to the comment and began walking towards Mr O’Connor and took a flick knife from his pocket. Mr O’Connor pushed him away but was then struck by the skateboard that Pottinger had thrust towards his head.

Mr O’Connor pushed Pottinger a number of times in an attempt to get him away, but Pottinger lunged towards Mr O’Connor with the knife. The pair went to the floor where Mr O’Connor punched Pottinger, but Pottinger continued to stab him, before dropping the knife. Luke’s friend intervened briefly before moving away. 

Pottinger picked up the knife he dropped in the scuffle, before fleeing the scene on his skateboard.

It was already too late for Mr O’Connor, he stood briefly before collapsing again, he was bleeding heavily and despite the best efforts of paramedics and hospital staff at Manchester Royal Infirmary, Mr O’Connor sadly died from his injuries at 4.51am that morning.

A post mortem confirmed that Mr O’Connor had at least eight stab wounds which had caused numerous injuries, including a collapsed lung. Mr O’Connor’s death was caused by multiple stab wounds and resulting blood loss.

The investigation found that Pottinger had purchased the knife on the internet in September 2022.

CCTV showed that after fleeing the scene, Pottinger dropped the knife which caught under the skateboard wheels and tripped him up. The knife was recovered near the scene, along with his skateboard that he had thrown nearby.

Shortly after the incident, Pottinger stopped two young women nearby asking for an ambulance, not for Mr O’Connor who he had stabbed, but for himself, as he had an injury to his hand. He then changed his mind and continued on his way.

Pottinger was arrested on 28 October 2022, he made no comment in interview but later claimed that it was he who was attacked.

Following a three week trial, Pottinger was found guilty of manslaughter.

He was sentenced to 15 years in prison on 19 June 2023 at Manchester Crown Court.

Jayne Sharp, Senior Crown Prosecutor for CPS North West, said: “Shiloh Pottinger went out for the evening armed with a knife. An innocent, light-hearted comment was enough to cause Pottinger to become aggressive and use the offensive weapon against Luke, who sadly lost his life. 

“The CPS worked hard with Greater Manchester Police to build a strong case, piecing together the CCTV, eyewitness testimony, phone and medical evidence to place before the jury. Having heard all the evidence, the jury found Pottinger guilty of manslaughter. 

“Nothing can make up for the loss of Luke, I can only hope that knowing Pottinger has been brought to justice will provide some comfort to his family and friends. My thoughts remain with them.”