Elinor O’Brien: Kevin Mannion jailed for murder of 22-year-old in Manchester city centre

A 45-year-old man has been jailed for life for fatally stabbing his partner in Manchester city centre.

Elinor O’Brien, 22, was attacked at a flat on Great Watson Street in August last year. Police arrived and found she had been stabbed in the groin, but sadly she later died in hospital.

Her partner Kevin Mannion was arrested at the scene on suspicion of a section 18 assault, and he was later charged with Elinor’s murder, wounding and controlling coercive behaviour. A court heard he had previously attacked her in the days before her death.

Today, Mannion was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum of 23 years for the three offences at Liverpool Crown Court.

SIO Duncan Thorpe of GMP’s Major Incident Support Unit said: “Firstly, my thoughts are with Elinor’s family and loved ones. No parent or siblings should have to see a loved one die in this way.

“Elinor was subjected to controlling and coercive behaviour throughout her relatively short relationship with Mannion. He assaulted her a number of times and in the early hours of Sunday 14 August 2022 stabbed her in her left breast.

“Two days later, following an argument Mannion threw Elinor out of his apartment and stabbed her in the groin. Elinor sadly died as a result of her injuries despite the best efforts of medical staff.

“Mannion is an extremely dangerous individual. His lack of remorse for Elinor and her family is shameful.”