NATALIE'S COLD-BLOODED KILLER

STEPHEN McCullagh was handed a minimum 31-year sentence yesterday for the “cold-blooded” murder of his pregnant partner Natalie McNally.

- BY ASHLEIGH McDONALD

As he imposed the tariff on the 36-year old at Belfast Crown Court, Mr Justice Kinney told the convicted killer: “Stephen McCullagh, you have committed a brutal and senseless murder.

“You planned this murder in remorseless detail. You attacked someone you professed to love in a frenzied assault which was characterised by its excessive and gratuitous violence.

“Despite that frenzy, the killing was cold-blooded and calculated as evidenced by the extensive planning leading up to the murder and to your actions afterwards.

“Your behaviour towards the McNally family showed your absolute determination to cover your tracks.

“Offences of murder are always extremely serious and are heinous crimes at all times.

“Your culpability in this case is exceptionally high and has many outstanding features, which mean it is far more serious than most cases of murder.”

Natalie was 32 years old and 15 weeks pregnant with their unborn son Dean when she was beaten, strangled and stabbed by McCullagh in her Lurgan home in December 2022.

Saying the unborn child had no chance of surviving the fatal attack, Mr Justice Kinney added: “This was a deliberate, calculated and successful attempt to prevent the eventual birth of the child.”

As Natalie's loved ones packed into the public gallery of Belfast Crown Court, her murderer showed little emotion as the minimum term he will spend in prison before being considered eligible for release by the Parole Commissioners was imposed.