A man from Wilpshire who stabbed a student on a night out in Manchester has been cleared of murder, but was found guilty of manslaughter.

Luke O’Connor, described as a ‘gentle giant’ with ‘big hopes and dreams for the future’ by his family, was killed in Wilmslow Road, Fallowfield, last year.

At around 2am on Wednesday, October 26, Shiloh George Pottinger stabbed the 19-year-old business management student with a 13-inch knife.

Pottinger, who was 19 at the time, moved from Wilsphire to Manchester to study at BIMM university.

On Friday (May 12), a jury at Manchester Crown Court found Pottinger, 20, not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter.

He was convicted of killing O'Connor and will be sentenced on Monday, June 19.

Highlighting Operation Sceptre, an ongoing nationwide week campaign to tackle knife crime, a spokesperson for Ribble Valley Police said: “A very timely engagement given that Shiloh Pottinger aged 20 and formerly of the Ribble Valley was found guilty of manslaughter at Manchester Crown Court on Friday in relation to the death of Luke O'Connor aged 19.

“Shiloh's decision to carry a knife has had devastating and far reaching consequences for both families with one young life over and another young life ruined.”

Paying tribute to Mr O'Connor last year, his family said: "Our hearts yearn for the loss of Luke; we are truly devastated by this tragedy.

"Luke was loved by so many people, and he knew how much he was loved in return.

"He was a second year Business Management student at Manchester Metropolitan University who was originally from Bedfordshire.

"He loved the freedom of student living and studying and was loving life in Manchester.

"Luke was the youngest of three boys in our family and was a gentle giant with big hopes and dreams for the future.

"His biggest dream was to travel the world, but now Luke will never be able to fulfil that dream.

"Luke loved music, football and was a big supporter of Liverpool, who he followed religiously from a young age.

"He had a profound impact on so many people throughout his life. He was truly one of a kind, who’s presence would light up any room.

"Luke’s friends also adored him, as he adored them. They often called Luke a ‘Legend’ and ‘the life and soul’ of everything he did. Everyone who met him, truly loved him.

"Our lively, bubbly, beautiful boy has been taken from us and our family are now left with a hole in our hearts that will never be filled.

"Justice needs to be served as we have lost our beautiful young Luke, who was robbed of life.

"We will continue to honour his name for as long as we are all here, and his legacy with go on forever.”