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Sarah Montgomery: Zak Hughes Jailed for 20 Years for Murder of Pregnant Mother-of-Two
The judge called the killing one of the worst cases of domestic violence in recent times and set a 20-year minimum term.
Zak Hughes, 29, received a minimum 20-year sentence today at Belfast Crown Court for murdering Sarah Montgomery, 27, and destroying their unborn child.
Following a confrontation about his deception on June 27, 2025, Hughes attacked Montgomery in her Donaghadee home, relentlessly beating her at least 59 times.
Lady Justice McBride described the crime as a "wick, heinous" act and a "brutal attack on a completely defenceless, heavily pregnant mother" who was 32 weeks pregnant.
PSNI Detective Sergeant Jennifer Stevenson stated Sarah had "everything to live for," while the prosecution noted the murder "must be viewed as one of the worst cases of domestic violence in recent times."
Judge McBride added that the murder was "yet another femicide" in Northern Ireland, stressing the public was rightly outraged by the defendant's conduct.