A heavily pregnant mother of two was murdered by the father of her children using a water bottle she had given him as a Father's Day gift. Zak Hughes subjected Sarah Montgomery, 27, to a violent attack inside her flat in Donaghadee, Northern Ireland, last year, while her two children sat in a nearby car.
The court heard that Montgomery had confronted Hughes over his new fiancée's pregnancy before the attack. Hughes, 29, pleaded guilty to her murder and to a charge of child destruction in June 2026.
Attack described as one of worst cases of domestic violence
Belfast Crown Court heard how the killing was described as one of the "worst cases of domestic violence in recent times". In a 19-minute window, Montgomery suffered 59 applications of blunt force trauma. One of the objects used was the water bottle given to Hughes by Montgomery on behalf of their children for Father's Day.
Montgomery, a trained beautician, met gym instructor Hughes while the two were studying at Glastry College school. The pair entered a relationship which led to the birth of their first child.
Relationship 'faltered' and second child denied
The court heard how this "on-and-off" relationship "faltered", with Hughes denying that Montgomery's second child was his, something disproven using a DNA test. After the birth of their second child, Hughes entered into another relationship and became engaged. At the time of the murder, Hughes' new partner was also heavily pregnant.
The court heard how he had lied to Montgomery about how the baby had died in a car accident. When she challenged him, Hughes requested the pair talk about the issue in person.
Stopped at Primark after the murder
Once inside her flat, Hughes launched into what the prosecution called a "cold blooded, systematic, murderous attack." Tragically, both Montgomery and her unborn child died. After committing the murder, he took her phone, locked the door and went to pick up their child from primary school.
The killer made several stops on route, including buying a new outfit from Primark, and dumping his victim's phone, keys and bloodied clothes. Montgomery's body was discovered lying face down at her apartment by her grandfather.
A defence lawyer said they accepted there is nothing they can say in any way that can take away from this horrific case. He highlighted the guilty plea by his client, and the speed with which the case has been able to be dealt with as a result. There is set to be a review hearing next Friday.
