Zak Hughes, 29, of Ardglen Place in Belfast, has been sentenced to a minimum of 20 years in prison after admitting the murder of his on-off partner Sarah Montgomery and the destruction of their unborn child. The 27-year-old mother, who was 32 weeks pregnant, was killed in her home in Donaghadee in June 2025.
Judge Condemns Brutal Attack
Handing down the sentence, Judge Madam Justice McBride told Hughes: "You are guilty of the brutal, completely unjustified murder of a defenceless, heavily pregnant mother. When she confronted you with your lies and deception you relentlessly and savagely beat her to death."
"When she screamed out for mercy, you continued to strike her at least 59 times until you killed her and her unborn child," the judge added.
Impact on Family and Community
The judge said the public had been justifiably outraged by the killing, describing it as "yet another femicide in a long line of femicides committed in this jurisdiction." She noted that Ms Montgomery's children must now "live with the devastating impact of losing their mother, knowing that their mother was murdered by you, their own father."
Detective Sergeant Jennifer Stevenson said Sarah was a "loving mother of two young children" and was found unresponsive the day after the attack, pronounced dead at the scene. She described the assault as "sustained and brutal."
Following the fatal assault, Hughes stopped at a shopping centre, bought new clothes and shoes, and changed in public toilets. He then disposed of items of evidence, along with Sarah's mobile phone and house keys, before returning home.
Despite initially denying the offence, Hughes admitted his guilt after an investigation carried out with the Public Prosecution Service. The detective encouraged anyone who has been a victim of abuse, or who has concerns, to contact police, and said a "loving family have been left with unimaginable and endless heartache."
