Three men admit to Peterborough river killing
The three admitted to killing a man by chasing him into a river in Peterborough.
Last updated 10th Jul 2026
Three men have admitted to killing a man by chasing him into the River Nene in Peterborough.
At around noon on the 23rd of January this year, Jordanas Prismontas, Cole Mackaness, and Thomas McShane began assaulting and threatened 30-year-old Conor Kinlan with a knife.
Conor, who had been with his partner and a friend near Railworld car park, ran away as the three men accused him of stealing from them.
Mackaness began waving a knife at Conor who entered the river after being threatened and becoming cornered.
Witnesses said after being forced back into the water a second time Conor never re-emerged. This was despite his partner and friend both entering the cold water to try to save him and the best efforts of emergency services.
A specialist police dive team recovered his body nearby in the river about 15 hours later.
Police then launched an investigation and detectives arrested McShane on the 29th of January, then Mackaness on the 30th of January, and Prismontas on the 1st of February.
According to police, the incident was related to the "Felix" drug dealing line that had been operating in the local area.
On the 14th of May, at Cambridge Crown Court, Mackaness, 19, of Baden Powell Way, Wellingborough, pleaded guilty to manslaughter, possession of a bladed article and two counts of being concerned in the supply of class A drugs.
At the same court on 24 June, McShane, 20, of Collier Mews, Paston, Peterborough, pleaded guilty to manslaughter and possession of a bladed article.
Prismontas, 19, of Fulbridge Road, Peterborough, pleaded guilty to manslaughter, possession of a bladed article and two counts of being concerned in the supply of class A drugs.
The later pleas have not been reported until now because of restrictions imposed by the court. The restrictions were lifted yesterday (Thursday 9th of July).
The men are due to be sentenced on the 15th of October.
DCI Rich Stott, from the Beds, Cambs and Herts Major Crime Unit, said: “This is a tragic incident that led to the loss of Conor’s life. My thoughts are with Conor’s family and friends at what must be a very difficult time. I hope these convictions will help them to come to terms with their devastating loss."
“All three defendants were equally responsible when they chased him to his death that day. The water was very cold and a real risk to anyone that entered it. They were all jointly in possession of weapons used to threaten him and had Conor not been forced into the river I have no doubt they would have used them.”