Man jailed for murder of pregnant girlfriend in one of worst domestic violence cases

From the Newshound archive · first published 26 September 2026.

Zak Hughes, 29, beat Sarah Montgomery, 27, at least 59 times over 19 minutes at her flat in Donaghadee, Co Down, while she was heavily pregnant with his child and one of their toddlers waited in a nearby car. Hughes pleaded guilty at Belfast Crown Court to murder and child destruction, and Judge Denise McBride has indicated she can only impose a life sentence. Prosecutors told the court that Friday's sentencing hearing "must be viewed as one of the worst cases of domestic violence in recent times." The judge noted that "femicide is a real issue in this jurisdiction."

One of the weapons Hughes turned on Montgomery was a water bottle she had given him as a Father's Day gift from their children.

The assault began after Montgomery confronted him over lies he had told her about a separate pregnancy involving his fiancée — a recording of her screams was played in court.

The case drew comparisons to Stephen McCullagh's 2022 murder of his pregnant partner Natalie McNally in Lurgan, Co Armagh.