Published • loading... • Updated
Mother's Murder 'One of Worst Domestic Violence Cases'
Zak Hughes pleaded guilty to murder and child destruction after a 19-minute attack that left Sarah Montgomery dead and her unborn son fatally injured.
- Belfast Crown Court heard details Friday regarding the murder of Sarah Montgomery, 27, by her former partner, Zak Hughes, 29, at her Donaghadee home in June 2025. She was 32 weeks pregnant with their son, Liam Arthur.
- Prosecutors described a "cold-blooded, systematic, murderous attack" lasting 19 minutes with at least 59 applications of blunt trauma. Hughes struck Montgomery while one of their young children sat waiting in a nearby vehicle.
- Hughes used a water bottle as a weapon, a Father's Day gift from their two children. The assault occurred after Montgomery confronted him about lying regarding his current fiancee's pregnancy.
- Madam Justice McBride noted during the hearing that "femicide is a real issue in this jurisdiction." The prosecution argued the incident "must be viewed as one of the worst cases of domestic violence in recent times."
- Comparisons were drawn to the 2022 murder of Natalie McNally by Stephen McCullagh in Lurgan. Lady Justice McBride will reflect on submissions before setting a tariff at a review hearing next Friday.
Insights by Ground AI
15 Articles
15 Articles
Coverage Details
Total News Sources15
Leaning Left7Leaning Right1Center7Last UpdatedBias Distribution47% Left, 46% Center
Bias Distribution
- 47% of the sources lean Left, 46% of the sources are Center
47% Left
L 47%
C 46%
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
