A man who stabbed his pregnant girlfriend to death before taking steps to conceal what he had done has been convicted of murder.

Stephan Garner, 31, killed 33-year-old Amber O’Brien, who was around nine weeks pregnant with twins, by stabbing her more than 60 times at his flat in Manchester.

Garner admitted unlawfully killing Amber but denied murder, claiming that he had lost control and had not intended to kill her or cause her serious harm.

However, the prosecution’s case was that the evidence clearly demonstrated his intent. The jury agreed and found him guilty of murder.

Jo White, Senior Crown Prosecutor for the Crown Prosecution Service, said: “Stephan Garner subjected Amber O’Brien to a sustained attack before taking deliberate steps to cover his tracks.

“Garner denied intending to kill Amber or cause her serious harm, but the prosecution presented clear evidence of the horrific circumstances of the attack and his calculated actions afterwards, and the jury found him guilty of murder.

“Amber was murdered by her partner in a place where she should have felt safe. Our thoughts remain with her family and loved ones as they continue to come to terms with her devastating death.”

Garner and Amber had been together for less than three months, during which their relationship had been marked by conflict.

On the evening of 17 April 2026, the couple argued at Garner’s flat. Amber packed her belongings and left the property in the early hours of the following morning, but Garner followed her and brought her back.

During the morning of 18 April, Garner attacked and killed Amber.

Afterwards, he left Amber’s body in the flat while he bought bleach, sponges and a large tarpaulin. He cleaned the flat, washed Amber’s body, placed clothing in bags and damaged her phone.

He also made enquiries into removing the black box in his car so that he could not be tracked.

The following afternoon, Garner went to a relative’s home, where he admitted stabbing Amber and said he intended to hand himself in to police.

Police found Amber’s body in the bathroom of Garner’s flat, wrapped in the tarpaulin, at 6pm on 19 April. She had sustained numerous injuries to her neck and face.

Police arrested Garner later that evening.

A post-mortem examination confirmed that Amber had sustained more than 60 stab wounds and bruising. She died from stab wounds to the neck and had defensive injuries, including a stab wound through her right hand.

The prosecution’s case was that the evidence demonstrated Garner intended to kill Amber or cause her serious harm.

The jury rejected Garner’s account and found him guilty of murder.

He will be sentenced at a later date.