Zak Hughes, 29, from Ardglen Place in Belfast, has been jailed for a minimum of 20 years for the murder of Sarah Montgomery, 27, in her flat in Donaghadee, Co Down, in June 2025. He also received a concurrent 20-year prison term for the destruction of her unborn child.
Hughes pleaded guilty earlier this year to the murder of Ms Montgomery, who was the mother of his two young daughters and was 32 weeks pregnant with a boy at the time of the attack. He also pleaded guilty to the murder of the unborn child.
Sentence passed at Belfast Crown Court
The defendant showed no emotion as sentence was passed, standing in the dock wearing a white T-shirt and black glasses.
Judge Madam Justice McBride told the defendant: "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."
Judge condemns femicide
The judge said the public had been rightly outraged at the murder. "Yet another femicide in a long line of femicides committed in this jurisdiction, your conduct has rightly invoked the abhorrence of right-thinking people," she added.
"Sarah is not just a statistic. Everyone who knew Sarah spoke loudly of their love and support for her, and the depth of friendship that they shared with her.
"She was a much-loved 27-year-old mother of two young children, a devoted sister, a granddaughter, and a great-niece who brought much joy and happiness. Your actions have caused much serious harm and loss."
The judge said Ms Montgomery's children now had to "live with the devastating impact of losing their mother, knowing that their mother was murdered by you, their own father".
