'You tore our hearts out and shattered our lives' - Mum of Luke O'Connor's blistering statement as killer jailed

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