The man charged with the murder of Natalie McNally has been sent to the Crown Court for trial.
Stephen McCullagh (32) appeared at Craigavon Magistrates Court by videolink from prison on Friday.
From Woodland Gardens in Lisburn, he is accused of murdering the 32-year-old mum-to-be on a date unknown between 17-18 December last year.
Ms McNally was 15 weeks pregnant with McCullagh’s child when she was stabbed in her home on Silverwood Green in Lurgan and according to the police case, McCullagh was double gloved, forensically aware and had created himself a false alibi in the meticulously planned, “sophisticated, calculating and cool headed plot” to kill her.
In court on Friday, prosecuting counsel Natalie Pinkerton submitted there was a prima facie case against McCullagh, a submission which was conceded by defence counsel Craig Patton.
The court clerk told McCullagh that although not obliged to he had the right to comment on the charge and to call evidence on his own behalf but he told her simply “no” to each question.
Remanding McCullagh back into custody, Deputy District Judge Chris Holmes returned the case to Crown Court for trial and scheduled the arraignment to be heard on January 12.
That will be the first time that McCullagh will be formally asked in a public forum whether he wants to enter a plea.
In addition to elevating the case to the Crown Court, the judge also extended legal aid to allow a senior barrister to be instructed.