Sentencing Hearing Highlights Callous Crime
A sentencing hearing for Stephen McCullagh, the man convicted of murdering Natalie McNally, revealed the "callous, wicked and cruel" nature of his actions and their impact.
Natalie McNally was 15 weeks pregnant when she was fatally attacked in her home in Lurgan in December 2022.
Stephen McCullagh, 36, from Woodland Gardens in Lisburn, was found guilty of her murder following a five-week trial earlier this year.
Self-Contradictory Statement and False Alibi
During the hearing on Thursday, the court was informed that McCullagh, who has not admitted to killing Natalie, described himself as "a monster" in a "self-contradictory" submission to a pre-sentence report.
"a monster"
At the time of the murder, Natalie was carrying McCullagh's child. He fabricated a false alibi to facilitate traveling to her Silverwood Green residence disguised, where he brutally took her life.
Manipulation of Grieving Family
Following the murder, McCullagh engaged in a six-week period during which he manipulated and exploited the trust of Natalie's grieving family.
Life Sentence and Upcoming Tariff Hearing
In March, trial judge Mr Justice Kinney imposed a life sentence on McCullagh. On Thursday, the first of two hearings to determine the minimum term McCullagh must serve was held.
The minimum sentence, or tariff, will be decided at a hearing scheduled for 3 June.
Review of Case Details and Sentencing Factors
During Thursday's proceedings, the court revisited the key facts of the crime, considered aggravating and mitigating factors, examined pre-sentence reports, and reviewed precedents that will influence the sentencing decision.
