Latest news with #AinsleyWhite
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Daily Mail
Hundreds of mourners come together for vigil of 'murdered' pregnant mother, 27, after man appears in court over her death and 'child destruction'
Hundreds of mourners have gathered for a vigil for a pregant mother who was allegedly murdered as she got ready to give birth to a son. Sarah Montgomery, 27, was found found dead in a residential property in Donaghadee, Northern Ireland on Saturday afternoon. On Tuesday, Zak Hughes, 28, was charged with the murder of the mother-of-two, as well as 'child destruction', and he appeared at Newtownards Magistrates' Court today. Just hours later, a large crowd came together at Donaghadee's resource centre to remember the life of the victim, before walking the short distance to the Elmfield Walk home where her body was discovered. During a moving afternoon, some carried flowers or candles as the vigil travelled across town. Ainsley White became emotional as she addressed the crowd about her best friend. She described Ms Montgomery as a 'mother, a sister, a granddaughter, a friend'. She added: 'To Sarah, family meant everything. Her two little girls meant absolutely everything to her. 'Sarah was the best mummy and she couldn't wait to make her family complete with her little boy. I hope Sarah knew how much she was loved. 'I don't have the words to describe Sarah as a friend, I was honoured to call her my best friend and my sister at the same time. 'She never failed to put a smile on your face. She was a girl's girl, she had your back.' Ms White said: 'It is an absolutely cruel world that we live in. Sarah was just the best ever. 'Both of you are in the arms of the angels and you are both safe, I hope you both rest in peace and you are looking over us. Just know your girls are going to be the most protected kids in this world.' The crowd observed a minute's silence before breaking into applause. Dozens of people then queued to leave flowers at Ms Montgomery's home. Among those who attended the vigil were members of the family of Natalie McNally, a pregnant woman killed in Lurgan in December 2022. Dressed in a grey tracksuit, Hughes stood in the dock today and nodded when asked if he understood the charges. A Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) detective chief inspector told the court he could connect Hughes to the offences. No facts of the case were laid out and there was no application for bail. The date of the alleged offences given on court papers was June 27. District Judge Conor Heaney remanded Hughes in custody until July 30. A woman, 42, who was arrested in Belfast on suspicion of assisting an offender, was released unconditionally on Tuesday. In the days after her death, the local community has seen an outpouring of grief towards Ms Montgomery. Revd Ian R Gamble and Revd Kathy Couchman of Donaghadee Parish Church, who had a 'strong connection' with the family, said they were 'deeply saddened', adding that they would miss her at their Mums & Tots group. A GoFundMe has raised more than £40,000to help her daughters, calling the mother 'a popular girl who would never pass you without a smile or a chat'. Officers were called to the home at 2.15pm after receiving reports of an unconscious female with a serious injury. Paramedics were unable to save her and she was pronounced dead at the scene. The church statement said: 'The tragic nature of Sarah's death, compounded with the loss of her unborn child, can only add to the immense sense of grief that her family and friends will be feeling. 'Sarah was a very loving daughter to her late parents, a caring and devoted mother to her own children and a great support to her brothers and elderly grandparents. 'May God grant to Sarah's family, close friends and our Donaghadee community his unfailing love.' And the fundraiser, which was organised by 'local girl' Joanne Courtney, said that 'The events of this weekend have brought the community and indeed a wider circle to its devastated knees.' She continued: 'The children adored their mummy but have now been robbed of the nurture and love to guide them as they grow into young women. 'They will never get to know their unborn baby brother whose life was also cut short in this tragic incident.'
BreakingNews.ie
4 days ago
- BreakingNews.ie
Hundreds attend vigil in memory of Sarah Montgomery
A woman who was killed in Co Down was looking forward to the birth of her son to complete her family, her best friend has said. Hundreds of people have attended a vigil for pregnant mother-of-two Sarah Montgomery in Donaghadee. Advertisement The vigil occurred just hours after a man had appeared in court charged with her murder and child destruction. Mother-of-two Sarah Montgomery was found dead inside a house in Donaghadee, Co Down (PSNI/PA) Large crowds, some carrying flowers or candles, gathered at the town's resource centre before walking the short distance to the Elmfield Walk home where the body of the 27-year-old was found at the weekend. Ainsley White became emotional as she addressed the crowd about her best friend. She described Ms Montgomery as a 'mother, a sister, a granddaughter, a friend'. Advertisement She added: 'To Sarah, family meant everything. Her two little girls meant absolutely everything to her. 'Sarah was the best mummy and she couldn't wait to make her family complete with her little boy.' Ainsley White speaks during a vigil in Donaghadee, Co Down, in memory of her best friend, Sarah Montgomery (Jonathan McCambridge/PA) She said: 'I hope Sarah knew how much she was loved. 'I don't have the words to describe Sarah as a friend, I was honoured to call her my best friend and my sister at the same time. Advertisement 'She never failed to put a smile on your face. She was a girl's girl, she had your back.' Ms White said: 'It is an absolutely cruel world that we live in. Sarah was just the best ever. 'Both of you are in the arms of the angels and you are both safe, I hope you both rest in peace and you are looking over us. 'Just know your girls are going to be the most protected kids in this world.' Advertisement The crowd then observed a minute's silence before breaking into applause. Dozens of people then queued to leave flowers at Ms Montgomery's home. Hundreds of people gathered in Donaghadee for the vigil (Jonathan McCambridge/PA) Among those who attended the vigil were some members of the family of Natalie McNally, who was pregnant when she was killed in Lurgan, Co Armagh in December 2022. Earlier in the day, a 28-year-old man appeared in court charged with the murder of Ms Montgomery Advertisement Zak Hughes, from Ardglen Place in Belfast, was also charged with child destruction during a brief appearance at Newtownards Magistrates' Court. Dressed in a grey tracksuit, he stood in the dock and nodded when asked if he understood the charges. A PSNI detective chief inspector told the court he could connect Hughes to the offences. No facts of the case were laid out and there was no application for bail. Floral tributes are left in in memory of Sarah Montgomery (Jonathan McCambridge/PA) The date of the alleged offences given on court papers was June 27th. District Judge Conor Heaney remanded Hughes in custody until July 30th. A 42-year-old woman, who was arrested in Belfast on suspicion of assisting an offender, was released unconditionally on Tuesday. The death of Ms Montgomery has led to renewed focus on the rate of violence against women and girls in Northern Ireland. She was the 27th adult woman to be killed in Northern Ireland since 2020.
The Independent
4 days ago
- The Independent
Hundreds attend vigil in memory of Sarah Montgomery
A woman who was killed in Co Down was looking forward to the birth of her son to complete her family, her best friend has said. Hundreds of people have attended a vigil for pregnant mother-of-two Sarah Montgomery in Donaghadee. The vigil occurred just hours after a man had appeared in court charged with her murder and child destruction. Large crowds, some carrying flowers or candles, gathered at the town's resource centre before walking the short distance to the Elmfield Walk home where the body of the 27-year-old was found at the weekend. Ainsley White became emotional as she addressed the crowd about her best friend. She described Ms Montgomery as a 'mother, a sister, a granddaughter, a friend'. She added: 'To Sarah, family meant everything. Her two little girls meant absolutely everything to her. 'Sarah was the best mummy and she couldn't wait to make her family complete with her little boy.' She said: 'I hope Sarah knew how much she was loved. 'I don't have the words to describe Sarah as a friend, I was honoured to call her my best friend and my sister at the same time. 'She never failed to put a smile on your face. She was a girl's girl, she had your back.' Ms White said: 'It is an absolutely cruel world that we live in. Sarah was just the best ever. 'Both of you are in the arms of the angels and you are both safe, I hope you both rest in peace and you are looking over us. 'Just know your girls are going to be the most protected kids in this world.' The crowd then observed a minute's silence before breaking into applause. Dozens of people then queued to leave flowers at Ms Montgomery's home. Among those who attended the vigil were some members of the family of Natalie McNally, who was pregnant when she was killed in Lurgan, Co Armagh in December 2022. Earlier in the day, a 28-year-old man appeared in court charged with the murder of Ms Montgomery Zak Hughes, from Ardglen Place in Belfast, was also charged with child destruction during a brief appearance at Newtownards Magistrates' Court. Dressed in a grey tracksuit, he stood in the dock and nodded when asked if he understood the charges. A PSNI detective chief inspector told the court he could connect Hughes to the offences. No facts of the case were laid out and there was no application for bail. The date of the alleged offences given on court papers was June 27. District Judge Conor Heaney remanded Hughes in custody until July 30. A 42-year-old woman, who was arrested in Belfast on suspicion of assisting an offender, was released unconditionally on Tuesday. The death of Ms Montgomery has led to renewed focus on the rate of violence against women and girls in Northern Ireland. She was the 27th adult woman to be killed in Northern Ireland since 2020.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Yahoo
Man who beat girlfriend on way home from Blackpool gives judge thumbs up as he walks free
A serial domestic abuser gave a thumbs up to a judge as he walked free from court. Ainsley White deliberately caused his girlfriend to crash her car by pulling on the handbrake as she drove them home from a trip to Blackpool - then attacked her with a wheel locking nut. The thug then left his victim permanently scarred after attacking her as he attempted repairs at the roadside. After his latest sentence, he has now been convicted of attacking four different partners. A trial at Liverpool Crown Court heard that White, of Lilford Avenue in Bewsey, Warrington, had been in a relationship with the woman for around 10 weeks. But their relationship was marred by arguments and violence, including the 40-year-old dragging her down the stairs by her hair on one occasion. READ MORE: Murder probe launched after 19-year-old dies following incident on Greater Manchester street READ MORE: Bury murder LIVE: Street closed off after teenager killed - updates Matthew Conway, prosecuting, described how the defendant had been drinking and taking cocaine before another incident in August last year, when he told her while holding a knife: "I will f***ing kill you, you know. I didn't want to but f***, I will." Later the same evening, White was said to have left her with a black eye after pushing her head into the bed, leaving her struggling to breathe, and hitting her to the head. He later handed her an ice pack and told her that he would not allow her to leave the property until her facial injuries had healed. Then, on August 11 2024, the couple had been driving home from a visit to Blackpool when they began arguing. White responded by pulling the handbrake of her car, causing her to "lose control and spin into a kerb". He then took over the driving from her, but their journey was halted once again when one of the vehicle's tyres "popped". While attempting repairs, he then began "blaming her" and threw a wheel locking nut at her face, reports The Echo. In a statement which was read to the court on her behalf yesterday, Monday, she detailed how she has been left with a permanent scar. She had previously worked part-time at mental health hospital, although she ultimately quit her job. Join the Manchester Evening News WhatsApp group HERE The jury were however told that White claimed to detectives under interview that her injuries had been caused by "mentally unstable patients". The woman's statement added: "Every time I see my scar, it reminds me about the incident and how it happened. I was always in fear of Mr White and lied about how I obtained my injuries. "I was terrified of what he could potentially do to me." Appearing via video link to HMP Liverpool, White was seen shaking his head at times as her statement was read to the court. He was later arrested when police attended his home at around 10am on August 14, although they had to force entry using a battering ram after he barricaded the front door shut. Once inside, officers had to use their incapacitant spray in order to detain him. Even after being handcuffed, White continued to threaten to "knock out" one PC and told another as he attempted to place him into a carrier van: "You ain't getting me in there, watch." His criminal record shows a total of 36 previous convictions for 74 offences, dating back to 1996. This includes two offences of battery against one partner in 2003, an assault against another girlfriend in 2006, an appearance for assault occasioning actual bodily harm against a third partner in 2009 and a further count of battery in 2021 against a "woman he met on a night out". Sarah Holt, defending the self-employed carpet fitter, told the court: "Your honour will see the difficulties that he has had, which were not dealt with and continued into his adult life. Much of the behaviour he exhibits is a reflection of that which he experienced as a young child. "There is time for him to change, but it has to be structured intervention. His time in custody has allowed him to get fit and healthy, to become clean and to be positive. He still has accommodation open to him. He has been in custody for nine months now, the equivalent of an 18-month sentence. I understand that he wants help and would seek the assistance of the Probation Service." White, who was found guilty of two counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm by a jury but admitted obstructing police, was handed a two-year community order with a rehabilitation activity requirement of up to 30 days, a programme requirement, a six-month GPS trail monitoring requirement and a 10-year restraining order. He was also told to pay £500 in compensation, £250 in court costs and a £114 victim surcharge, and reacted to his sentence by putting two thumbs up to the camera and saying: "Thank you." Sentencing, District Judge Gwyn Jones said: "There was a consistent pattern of consuming substances and drink. Domestic abuse was something which occurred on a regular basis. "Your wish to have a degree of control over [the woman] was extremely unhealthy and not a basis on which any form of relationship was likely to succeed. If I gave you immediate custody today, bearing in mind the time that you have already spent in custody, it is likely that you would be eligible to be released in the course of the next few days and weeks. "While I am quite satisfied that my starting point would be immediate custody, I am trying to see whether there would be a more constructive sentence."
