Man who murdered pregnant partner while faking livestream as alibi jailed for 31 years | Northern Ireland
A YouTuber who created a false alibi by live-streaming an online video game session was sentenced to 31 years in prison for the “cold-blooded and calculated” murder of his pregnant partner.
Stephen McCullagh, 36, of Lisburn, County Antrim, showed no emotion on Wednesday as he was sentenced at Belfast crown court for the murder of Natalie McNally, a crime that shocked Northern Ireland.
The trial judge, Mr Justice Kinney, said it was “difficult to find words” to describe his “disgust” at the brutal attack. McCullagh stabbed, strangled and bludgeoned McMcNally, 32, at his home in Lurgan on December 18, 2022.
“You planned this murder in ruthless detail,” the judge said. “You attacked someone you claimed to love in a frenzied attack of extreme and gratuitous violence. Despite this frenzy, the murder was cold-blooded and calculated.”
While the attack was taking place, a pre-recorded session of McCullagh playing Grand Theft Auto was posted on his YouTube channel, giving the impression that he had spent the night at his home 27 miles away. In the video, recorded four nights ago, he was wearing a Santa hat, eating snacks, drinking Guinness and cracking jokes. “I’m not leaving the house tonight,” he said on air.
A prosecutor said the case was chilling. “I have never seen a case with this level of premeditation, planning, thinking of every possible aspect, disguise, forensic awareness, blaming of the former partner in terms of domestic homicide,” said Catherine Kierans, deputy director of the Prosecution Service. He described the alibi as an “elaborate charade”.
Following the discovery of McNally’s body, police arrested McCullagh but released him after learning of the broadcast. She claimed that a previous boyfriend committed the murder. A dejected-looking McCullagh was welcomed into McNally’s funeral and given time alone with the coffin to say goodbye.
When police determined the alleged livestream had been pre-recorded, officers rearrested and charged McCullagh. He was convicted in March after a five-week trial during which it was heard he went undercover and wore gloves to go to McNally’s home.
The judge said McCullagh planned to kill not only his girlfriend, who was 15 weeks pregnant, but also her unborn child. He said he was satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that after the attack, McNally’s face was also placed in the dog bowl to punish and humiliate him.
The judge noted that in the days after the crime, McCullagh presented himself to McNally’s family as if they were distraught and shocked. “When he first came home on Christmas Day, during Natalie’s funeral, the family brought him in and consoled him. They allowed him to be alone with Natalie for long periods of time, ostensibly to feel sorry for her.”
On a later incident, McCullagh left his phone at the McNally family home and returned later, claiming he had forgotten it. Apparently he was recording to check if the family suspected him.
Prosecutor Kierans said McCullagh’s attempt to ingratiate himself and spy on the bereaved family was particularly devious and shocking. He paid tribute to McNally. “She had everything to live for: a very smart, energetic, lively woman, excited about the arrival of her little baby.”
Speaking outside court, McNally’s father Noel spoke of the family’s “unimaginable pain and grief” and thanked police and prosecutors for bringing the killer to justice.
“Today is not a celebration of the sentencing as Bernadette, my children and I have been sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of our beloved Natalie, but I hope it will act as a deterrent to help stop violence against women and girls in this country.”
