Today (5 June), Zak Hughes has been sentenced to life after pleading guilty to murdering Sarah Montgomery, a mother of two, in Donaghadee in 2025, and also to a charge of child destruction of her unborn baby. 

The North Down MLA stated, “Today, my thoughts are with the family and loved ones of Sarah and her baby Liam. 

“No sentence can bring back a loved one, but I hope today's outcome provides some relief and accountability for their unimaginable loss. 

“I hope this sentence sends a strong message that violence against women and girls will not be tolerated. Perpetrators will be held accountable and will face the full consequences of the justice system.

“Our women and girls deserve better. If we’re serious about tackling VAWG and reducing victims, then we must focus on prevention. Gender-based violence has no place in our society, and we need a whole societal approach to ending it.”