Stephen McCullagh, who staged a fake YouTube gaming livestream to provide an alibi while he murdered his pregnant girlfriend Natalie McNally, has been handed a life sentence prison tariff of 31 years by a judge in Belfast Crown Court.
Stephen McCullagh gave no reaction as he was told he must serve 31 years before he can be considered eligible for release by the Parole Board for the murder in Lurgan, Co Armagh on 18 December 2022.
There was silence in the public gallery filled with Ms McNally’s family and friends as they watched McCullagh being led from the dock following the hearing at Belfast Crown Court.
As the door closed behind McCullagh, many in the public gallery turned and hugged each other.
During the trial, the jury heard that McCullagh had broadcast a YouTube video of himself playing a Grand Theft Auto game on the night that his partner was murdered.
He had given the impression that it was a live broadcast, the court heard.
However, the prosecution said that McCullagh had prepared the six-hour gaming broadcast four days in advance.
More to follow…
