Bangor man Mark Wallace sentenced to at least 14 years for murder

BANGOR MAN MARK WALLACE SENTENCED TO AT LEAST 14 YEARS FOR MURDER

A man responsible for the killing of his girlfriend during a house gathering has been sentenced to serve at least 14 years before being eligible for parole, on a life sentence.

Mark Wallace, aged 26 and residing on Elmwood Drive in Bangor, confessed to friends that he had been contemplating stabbing Katie Hughes in the weeks leading up to her death in April 2009.

During the party, he grabbed a knife from a drawer and fatally stabbed the 21-year-old woman.

Wallace was jealous after overhearing her talking with a friend about her previous romantic relationship.

Initially, guests thought the stabbing was a prank, but when Wallace was challenged, he swung the knife at another guest.

After fleeing the scene, he told a friend that Hughes had been provoking him and also mentioned intentions to harm his own mother.

Police apprehended him in Newtownards.

Wallace claimed he only intended to frighten Hughes, but he lost control, especially after she said something to him.

The presiding judge, Mr.

Justice Hart, dismissed claims that Wallace lacked intent, noting there was no evidence Hughes provoked the attack.

Helen Hughes, the victim’s mother, shared her grief, stating her daughter ‘lived life to the full.’ The judge also noted that Wallace had a history of violence, including attacking a man at another party with a bottle.

His background included drug abuse, threats linked to paramilitary groups, and previous violent threats towards Hughes and his mother prior to the murder.