Zak Hughes, 29, killed 27-year old mother-of-two Sarah Montgomery in her home in Donaghadeem, Northern IrelandAshleigh Mcdonald and Joe Smith News Reporter12:44, 05 Jun 2026Updated 12:57, 05 Jun 2026A 29-year-old man has been given a life sentence today after he confessed to murdering his pregnant partner in her home in Northern Ireland.‌Zak Hughes also admitted a charge of causing the destruction of Sarah Montgomery's unborn child.‌A statement from the Parish of Donaghadee said: "The tragic nature of Sarah’s death, compounded with the loss of her unborn child, can only add to the immense sense of grief that her family and friends will be feeling. Sarah was a very loving daughter to her late parents, a caring and devoted mother to her own children and a great support to her brothers and elderly grandparents."‌The 27-year old mother-of-two was killed in her Elmfield Walk home on June 27, 2025. As a result of the fatal attack, her unborn son did not survive, Belfast Live reports.Hughes appeared in the dock flanked by two prison officers as Ms Montgomery's loved ones sat in the public gallery of Belfast Crown Court today.‌His solicitor David Jones addressed Madam Justice McBride, sying: "The accused is aware of the consequences of the action he is about to take and the arraignment can proceed, My Lady."Hughes, of Ardglen Place in Belfast, was asked to stand by a court clerk who then charged him with the murder of Ms Montgomery. When asked how he pleaded to the charge, Hughes replied "guilty."He was then charged with “intent to destroy the life of a child capable of being born alive by a wilful act, causing a child to die before it had an existence independent of its mother” on the same date. To this second charge, Hughes again replied "guilty."‌Hughes was then addressed by Madam Justice McBride who told him: "In light of the pleas there is only one sentence of imprisonment that I can impose and that is one of life imprisonment.”The judge said there would be time before he was sentenced for his defence to prepare a pre-sentence report. The prosecution also said there would be a victim impact statement from Ms Montgomery's family. Madam Justice McBride then set the date for the Tariff hearing as Friday September 11, 2026.The full statement from the Parish of Donaghadee reads: "The clergy and congregation of Donaghadee Parish Church are deeply saddened by the death of Ms Sarah Montgomery. Our Parish has a strong connection to her family and one of her children was baptised in our congregation. We offer to her family our condolences, prayers, love and support over these difficult days.Article continues below"It was always a joy to see Sarah at church events, especially at our Mums & Tots group. She was a familiar and friendly part of our local community, a young mum who would stand with other mums at the gate of Donaghadee Primary School at pick up time, a school which she herself had attended."The tragic nature of Sarah’s death, compounded with the loss of her unborn child, can only add to the immense sense of grief that her family and friends will be feeling. Sarah was a very loving daughter to her late parents, a caring and devoted mother to her own children and a great support to her brothers and elderly grandparents."May God grant to Sarah’s family, close friends and our Donaghadee community his unfailing love."