A YouTuber who faked a game stream to create an alibi when he murdered his pregnant girlfriend has been jailed for at least 31 years.The sentence was handed down at a court hearing in Belfast, where the court found he had carried out a “savage and frenzied attack”.Stephen McCullagh, 36, of Lisburn, Ireland, showed no emotion as Judge Kinney handed down the minimum sentence of 31 years to life. A jury had already convicted him of murdering his partner Natalie McNally, 32.McNally, who was 15 weeks pregnant at the time, was killed at her home in Lurgan, Co Armagh, in December 2022. McCalla orchestrated the attack and later tried to cover his tracks through false online broadcasts.He told detectives he was live streaming video games on his YouTube channel at the time of the incident. However, the six-hour broadcast was not broadcast live at all. It was pre-recorded days ago and planned to be broadcast live. The judge said the fake live broadcast was a key part of the murder plan.After the murder, McCalla also tried to point suspicion at Ms McNally’s ex-partner. He further stayed in touch with her family, showing sadness as they mourned her death. He even spent time with her relatives after the murder, including at her wake, where he showed support while hiding his involvement.The judge said there was no doubt McCalla was satisfied Ms McNally’s face was placed in a dog bowl after the attack, describing it as an act of humiliation. Kinney told McCullagh his actions were “cruel and senseless.”McCalla stood silently as the verdict was read. The judge said the 31-year minimum sentence did not reflect the value of McNally’s life or that of her unborn child, Dean.After the sentencing, McNally’s father Noel said the family believed they were “serving a life sentence” after losing their loved one.He said: “Our family has experienced unimaginable pain and grief over the past three and a half years with the loss of our beautiful Natalie.He added: “Out of respect, we are asking for some privacy at this time as we continue to grieve.”
