Ex-lover reveals chilling threats, secret recordings

During the trial of Stephen McCullagh, accused of murdering his pregnant girlfriend Natalie McNally, a former partner provided testimony detailing alleged abuse. The woman described McCullagh threatening to destroy her sentimental items and secretly recording her private counselling sessions. These sessions were related to a stillbirth she experienced on January 7, 2022. The court heard that these recordings were discovered on his computers in 2024, and the woman stated she had not consented to them being recorded.

The ex-girlfriend also recounted a harrowing incident in late 2019 where, during an argument, she attempted to end her life by jumping from McCullagh's car as it traveled at approximately 45-50 miles per hour. She stated he stopped abruptly, pulled her back into the vehicle, and then slapped her, though he denies punching her or using specific threatening language. The defence claimed McCullagh had offered to record counselling sessions at her request due to her memory struggles, a claim she refuted.

Following the car incident, the woman reported McCullagh to the police but withdrew her statement shortly after. Their relationship reportedly resumed after the pandemic, leading to the stillbirth in early 2022 and subsequent mental health struggles for which she sought counselling.