Ex denies killing teacher’s aide: court

The ex-boyfriend of slain teacher’s aide Hannah McGuire has elected to “fast-track” his case to trial and fight a murder charge.
Lachlan Young, 21, appeared remotely in the Ballarat Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, formally pleading not guilty to the 23-year-old’s murder.

Sporting a shaved head with a mullet and wearing a pink graphic jumper, Mr Young did not react as he was told he would stand trial in the Victorian Supreme Court.

The courtroom was packed with members of Ms McGuire’s family and community, many wearing a black jumper emblazoned with her face.

None of Mr Young’s family were present, the court was told.

Police allege Mr Young murdered Ms McGuire on April 5 inside her former partner’s home on Ballarat’s southern fringe.

He allegedly drove her remains to bushland near Scarsdale before setting the vehicle alight.

Emergency services found the young woman’s body in a burnt out car off State Forest Rd hours after her family reported her missing.

In March 2023 the former couple posted on social media celebrating the purchase of a home together in Sebastopol.

Magistrate Michelle Mykytowycz told the court that she had received a signed letter from Mr Young, dated September 12, electing to “fast-track” the case to the Supreme Court.

This skips a committal hearing in the Magistrates Court, in which a magistrate hears the evidence and decides if they’re satisfied it could support a conviction, and will allow Mr Young to face trial at an earlier date.

“I am satisfied Mr Young understands the nature and consequence of the election,” she said.

“Mr Young has elected to stand trial, the effect of this is his matter will now be fast-tracked to the Supreme Court.”

His lawyer, Crystal Caruana, told the court she had explained the process to Mr Young.

When asked how he pleaded to a count of murder, Mr Young responded: “Not guilty, Your Honour.”

He will appear in Victoria’s Supreme Court in Melbourne for a directions hearing next month.

The death of Ms McGuire, who worked at Delacombe Primary School, sparked protests in the regional Victorian city on the issue of violence against women following the alleged murders of two others in a three-month period.

Ballarat mum Samantha Murphy was allegedly murdered after leaving her home for a jog on February 4 and Rebecca Young, 24, was allegedly killed in a suspected murder-suicide the same month.