Man jailed for 20 years for murder of pregnant mother

Summarised from 4 outlets · 5 reports · Updated 6 Nov, 12:24 · Archive

Zak Hughes, 29, has been jailed for a minimum of 20 years for murdering Sarah Montgomery, 27, who was 32 weeks pregnant.

Zak Hughes, 29, from Ardglen Place in Belfast, has been jailed for a minimum of 20 years for the murder of Sarah Montgomery, 27, and her unborn son. Montgomery was 32 weeks pregnant when Hughes beat her to death in her flat in Donaghadee, County Down, in June 2025. Hughes was the father of Montgomery's two daughters, aged five and seven, and of the unborn baby boy who died in the attack.

Hughes pleaded guilty to murder and child destruction in June 2026. He was sentenced at Belfast Crown Court, where he appeared in a white t-shirt and black glasses and showed no emotion as sentence was passed.

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 described the killing as "yet another femicide" in Northern Ireland. She said Montgomery's two surviving children now had to "live with the devastating impact of losing their mother, knowing that their mother was murdered by you, their own father".

The judge added that everyone who knew Montgomery "spoke loudly of their love and support for her, and the depth of friendship that they shared with her". She noted that Montgomery 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".

How it is being reported

• Man jailed for 20 years for murder of heavily pregnant mother-of-twoZak Hughes was also given a 20-year concurrent term for the destruction of Sarah Montgomery’s unborn child.News Letter · 6 Nov, 12:33
• Zak Hughes jailed for 20 years for "brutal" murder of "defenceless, heavily pregnant" Sarah MontgomeryThe 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”Belfast Live · 6 Nov, 11:56
• Man jailed for 20 years for murder of pregnant mother-of-twoSarah Montgomery, 27, was 32 weeks pregnant when she was murdered by Zak Hughes in June 2025BBC Northern Ireland · 6 Nov, 11:32
• Zak Hughes jailed for 20 years for ‘brutal murder of defenceless heavily pregnant’ Sarah MontgomeryZak Hughes killed 27-year-old Sarah Mongomery in an attack which also caused the death of her 32-week-old unborn son LiamBelfast Telegraph · 6 Nov, 11:30
• Grandfather of murdered Co Down woman Sarah Montgomery left ‘broken and haunted’ as killer jailed for 20 yearsZak Hughes killed 27-year-old and caused death of her 32-week-old unborn son LiamBelfast Telegraph · 6 Nov, 11:30

In this story: Zak Hughes · Sarah Montgomery · Donaghadee · County Down · Belfast · Belfast Crown Court · Judge Madam Justice McBride

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log