YouTube removes account of man convicted of murdering Natalie McNally
Mar 24th 2026 · United Kingdom
YouTube has terminated Stephen McCullagh's channel after he used a pre-produced gaming stream as an alibi in the December 2022 murder of his pregnant partner in Lurgan; the platform cited creator responsibility rules.
- Stephen McCullagh was convicted of murdering his partner Natalie McNally in her Lurgan home in December 2022 and she was 15 weeks pregnant.
- He used a pre-recorded six hour gaming stream presented as live to create an alibi while travelling to her home.
- The stream, titled Violent Night, had been demonetised but remained on his YouTube channel during the court process.
- YouTube said it terminated channels owned by McCullagh for violating its creator responsibility policies.
- Justice Minister Naomi Long said social media firms struggle to prevent people profiting from infamy and said online regulation is a Westminster responsibility.