Stephen McCullagh Appeal: YouTuber Stephen McCullagh appeals life sentence after murdering pregnant girlfriend and using fake GTA live stream alibi

Former YouTuber Stephen McCullagh is appealing against his life sentence for murdering his pregnant girlfriend Natalie McNally. The latest legal move comes just weeks after he was sentenced at Belfast Crown Court. The prosecution has been informed of the appeal, and McCullagh is said to have faced security issues inside the prison, the report said. The case drew worldwide attention after prosecutors revealed he allegedly used a pre-recorded “GTA” livestream as a false alibi to suggest he was at home when the murders occurred.

Stephen McCullagh challenges life sentence after fake news GTA Live Alibi in girlfriend murder case

Stephen McCullagh, a 36-year-old former YouTuber from Northern Ireland, has officially launched an appeal against his life sentence for murdering his pregnant girlfriend Natalie McNally.McCalla was found guilty in March after a five-week trial. On June 3, Belfast Crown Court sentenced him to life imprisonment and ordered him to serve at least 31 years before being considered for parole.According to reports, the Public Prosecution Service has now learned that McCullagh has appealed against the sentence. However, the appeal has not changed his punishment so far. His life sentence remains in effect until a higher court reviews the case and makes a decision.One of the most high-profile parts of the trial was an allegedly fake YouTube live broadcast that prosecutors said McCulla used as an alibi. Investigators found that a six-hour “Grand Theft Auto” broadcast that appeared to be live was actually recorded four days earlier.McCalla reportedly told viewers during the live broadcast that he was unable to interact due to technical issues. Prosecutors argued the video was played to make it appear he was home at the time of the murder. In handing down sentence, Judge Kinney described the staged live broadcast as “Indispensable” part of a murder plan.

McCalla reportedly faces safety concerns inside prison

In addition to news of the appeal, reports also highlighted McCullagh’s conditions inside Maghaberry Prison.The convicted YouTuber is being held in the prison’s Moyola Hospital wing, separate from general prison staff, the Mirror reports. The report cited sources as saying prison officials were taking extra precautions because they believed he might face threats from other inmates.The report said many inmates were particularly harsh on crimes involving pregnant women or children, making McCalla one of the prison’s most high-profile inmates. Authorities have reportedly isolated him from the wider prison population while his appeal proceeds through the legal system.At this time, no hearing date or appeal decision has been announced. McCalla’s life sentence remains unchanged and he will continue to serve it unless a higher court orders otherwise. As the appeals process continues, the case remains one of Northern Ireland’s most high-profile criminal cases due to a murder conviction and the unusual use of a fake GTA Live stream as a so-called alibi.