Teen charged with murder of Bedford student stabbed to death

Police have charged a teenager with the murder of 19-year-old Bedford student Luke O’Connor.

Shiloh George Pottinger, also 19, of the Fallowfield area of Manchester, has been remanded in custody and will appear at Manchester and Salford Magistrates’ Court today (October 31) also accused of possession of a bladed article.

Luke – a business management student at Manchester Metropolitan University – was stabbed in Fallowfield in the early hours of Wednesday morning (October 26).

Specially trained officers from Great Manchester Police remain in contact with Luke’s family providing updates throughout the investigation.

Superintendent Helen Critchley, of Great Manchester Police, said: “Luke and his family remain at the front and centre of our investigation and my thoughts are with them at the end of what will have been the most devastating week of their lives.

“We’ve also felt the shock and hurt in our large student community in Fallowfield, and we are continuing to listen and address the concerns that people have spoken to us about this week.

“I’d like to remind everyone that criminal proceedings are active, and nothing should be posted online that could jeopardise the defendant’s right to a free trial, therefore it’s really important people refrain from speculation or commentary on social media throughout the hearing of the case.”