Family of woman murdered by partner hit out as he appeals sentence
The family of a pregnant woman who was murdered by her Youtuber boyfriend who then staged a fake gaming livestream to cover up his crime have hit out as he appeals his jail sentence.
Stephen McCullagh was jailed last month for 31 years after he was found guilty of murdering Natalie McNally on December 18 2022.
Belfast Crown Court heard that McCullagh concocted a twisted alibi ahead of time, having pre-recorded himself playing Grand Theft Auto on a Christmas-themed stream he entitled 'No Time To Die'.
During the stream, he repeatedly told viewers it was Sunday and claimed the 'live chat' functionality was malfunctioning - both covering the fact he wasn't really sat in front of his computer.
In fact, McCullagh used the six hours of fake gameplay to travel to his partner's home where he beat, strangled and stabbed her to death in a 'brutal and frenzied attack'.
A day later he made a faux-hysterical 999 call after 'discovering' her body, telling an operator: 'No... she's cold. There's blood everywhere.'
Police initially ruled him out as a suspect but after they deduced that the live stream was fake he was arrested in February 2023 and charged with murder.
But now McCullagh, who denies the murder, has launched an appeal against his sentence.
Stephen McCullagh (pictured) was jailed last month for 31 years after he was found guilty of murdering Natalie McNally on December 18 2022
Pictured Natalie McNally who was murdered by McCullagh who concocted a twisted alibi ahead of time, having pre-recorded himself playing Grand Theft Auto on a Christmas-themed stream he entitled ' No Time To Die' to cover up his crime
Natalie's brother Declan McNally has blasted McCullagh adding he's not surprised the murderer is trying to quash his conviction.
He added that the saga had 'completely re-traumatised' the family.
Mr McNally said: 'It's just another blow. My mum and dad, they're strong and resilient people.
'We shouldn't have to be so strong again and again and again, it's just completely re-traumatising the whole family.'
Mr McNally added: 'It just speaks to the character of the murderer, the way he's acted before, during, and after the murder, after the trial, you just expect the complete worst from that individual.
'He hasn't shown any remorse, no regret, no responsibility, and now he's going to court again, looking to reduce his sentence. It's astonishing.'
Natalie had been watching the World Cup final with her family just hours before she was murdered.
In a tragic turn of events, the family were once again watching a World Cup game yesterday when they received the news McCullagh was appealing his sentence.
Speaking to BBC Radio Ulster, Mr McNally said: 'It just speaks to his character completely.
'That he would do it just speaks to his hideous nature... If they're going to look at the sentence again, the only way the sentence should be going is up.'
During McCullagh's sentencing in June, the judge described the murder as 'cold-blooded and calculated'.
To hide his crime further, McCullagh sought to frame his partner's ex-boyfriend for the murder - and turned to his victim's family for comfort as he maintained his illusion of innocence.
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He attended her wake on Christmas Day at her parents' home and a public rally in her memory on January 28, where he was described as her 'loving partner'.
The 36-year-old also secretly recorded conversations at her family home by deliberately leaving his mobile phone behind.
Prosecutors said he did so to find out whether her family suspected him or had discussed the police investigation.
The fake livestream remained available to view on his YouTube channel - which had 37,000 followers - until he was found guilty of murder in March.
It was described by trial judge Mr Justice Kinney as an 'integral' part of his plan to murder his partner, whom it emerged had slept with a former boyfriend in October 2022, two months after she had begun dating the gaming streamer.
She had also been in contact with other men, one of whom had asked if she and McCullagh were planning to break up.
Prosecutors suggested that he may have been driven to kill her after seeing the messages. He had previously assaulted a former 'on-off' girlfriend after she shared intimate images with another man.
On Tuesday the Public Prosecution Service (PPS) in Northern Ireland said it has been notified that an appeal against the sentence has been lodged.
Badenoch blasts 'moaning' female Labour MPs over Burnham jobs 'quota'
Kemi Badenoch has told Labour women to earn a job in Andy Burnham's Cabinet instead of demanding they are handed jobs because of their gender.
The Tory leader lashed out today amid reports that female MPs are demanding the de-facto new prime minister introduce a 50:50 gender split 'quota' in his government.
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister also complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts.
But in a scathing article in the Times today Mrs Badenoch told them to 'stop moaning' and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'.
'There are many, many reasons why you shouldn't have any Milibands in the cabinet,' she said.
'But complaining that the boys haven't given them the right jobs or that the boys are taking all the jobs, just shows that Labour's women still don't get it.'
The idea of quotas was also attacked by Baroness Jacqui Smith, Labour's Skills Minister.
Asked by Times Radio if Mr Burnham should reserve jobs for women, she said: 'No, I think what Andy Burnham should be doing is building the very best team around him to change this country.'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband (above, right, in 2010) is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts
But Mrs Badenoch told them to pipe down and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party and seen by the BBC has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs after he succeeds Sir Keir Starmer.
'We are asking you to demonstrate this change from day one and address the toxicity and misogyny within our own party and government,' it said.
Labour has never had a female leader, while the Conservatives have had three, and Mrs Badenoch urged the government to follow its meritocratic example.
'If you run a meritocracy, then you do not have to worry about jobs for the boys,' she wrote.
'Every woman who is a Conservative MP, every woman who has ever won the leadership, has had to fight to get where she is.
'By contrast, Labour women are demanding guarantees from Burnham. But the truth is he doesn't have to give any guarantees.
'If none of Labour's women are prepared to get their hands dirty and challenge him for the leadership, their demands are toothless.'
'In fact, it's quite revealing that the women's parliamentary Labour Party has written to Burnham asking him to commit himself to at least 50 per cent female ministers.
'This has nothing to do with meritocracy. It is yet more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country.'
