Obituary: Tribute to Emma O'Kane

Emma O'Kane

The heartbroken partner of a mother-of-three who died after a glass bottle was thrown into a crowded pub has paid an emotional tribute to his soul mate.

Emma O'Kane, 27, died shortly after 2am on Saturday 27 December 2008.

Police were called to the Queen Anne Hotel on Market Street, Heywood, following a report a woman had suffered a serious injury to her neck.

A bottle had been thrown into the pub, where Emma had been celebrating her partner's birthday, and a piece of glass struck her.

Emma was taken to Fairfield Hospital, but was pronounced dead.

Today, Emma's partner, Michael Shepherd, 38, spoke of what a caring woman Emma was.

He lived in Heywood with her and children, Reece, six, Jack, two, and one-year-old Ellie-Mai.

Emma, a former pupil of Heywood Community School, worked as a barmaid at the Queen Anne Hotel, but was not on duty at the time she was fatally injured.

Michael said: "We'd been together for just over five years and we had planned to get married in Crete in 2010.

"Emma was really popular – everyone said she was the best barmaid and she was a brilliant mother to three gorgeous kids.

"She was the love of my life and kind-hearted.

"She really was an angel and now my soul mate's been taken away I wonder what we're all going to do without her."

Emma's mother Diane, 47, said: "Emma loved looking after people and planned to get a job in a nursing home.

"She loved her kids – they were everything to her and she was the best mum."

A post mortem examination concluded Emma died as a result of a wound to the neck.

A 19-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder and remains in police custody for questioning.