Sarah Montgomery: Man pleads guilty to murder of pregnant woman

Sarah Montgomery: Man pleads guilty to murder of pregnant woman

A man has formally admitted to the murder of Sarah Montgomery, a mother of two, who was pregnant with her third child at the time of her death in Donaghadee in 2025. Zak Hughes, aged 29 and from Ardglen Place in the Ardoyne area of Belfast, also pled guilty to a charge of child destruction related to the case. Sarah had been expecting a baby boy, whom she intended to name Liam Arthur.

During the court proceedings on Friday, Hughes stood before the judge and confirmed his identity when asked. The charge of murdering Sarah Montgomery on June 27 was presented to him, and he responded by pleading guilty. He subsequently pleaded guilty to the charge of child destruction as well. Madam Justice McBride, overseeing the trial, stated that given his guilty pleas, the sentence to be imposed was a life sentence.

The circumstances of the tragic incident were revealed as the police received a report on June 28, 2025, shortly after 14:15 BST, about an unconscious woman found inside a house on Elmfield Walk. Sarah had suffered a severe injury and was pronounced dead at the location. Friends and community members who attended a vigil remembered her as a caring individual who supported not only her two daughters but also her two autistic brothers and elderly grandparents.

Sarah Montgomery was described as a “vibrant individual” who cherished her family deeply. Those close to her spoke of how her daughters were eagerly awaiting the arrival of their new baby brother, highlighting the close-knit and loving atmosphere she nurtured. The sentencing tariff hearing for Zak Hughes is scheduled for September 11, 2026

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