A former partner of Natalie McNally has accused Stephen McCullagh of her murder during the third week of the trial at Belfast Crown Court. Looking towards the dock, he said: 'She was my best friend and you killed her.'
McCullagh, 36, of Woodland Gardens in Lisburn, has pleaded not guilty to murdering Ms McNally, who was 15 weeks pregnant with his child. The trial previously heard McCullagh claimed the ex-partner was responsible, a suggestion the witness dismissed as 'ridiculous'.
The witness, who cannot be named due to a court order, was in a relationship with Ms McNally from 2019. Despite both moving on to new partners, they remained in contact and met up for sex, including in October 2022. The court heard details of their messages, which included arguments and sexual requests.
He described Ms McNally as his best friend and expressed regret for taking advantage of her. 'I definitely took advantage of Natalie, I feel horrible about it,' he said. 'She was the nicest girl ever... I just wish I had been better to her.'
The jury of six men and six women is expected to serve for around five weeks before Mr Justice Patrick Kinney.
