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Driven by a sense of entitlement, jealousy, and anger, a man took the life of his former partner and set fire to her remains in an isolated area, according to a prosecutor.
Hannah McGuire was entitled to end her relationship with Lachlan Young after enduring months of abusive and manipulative behavior, crown prosecutor Kristie Churchill asserted before the Victorian Supreme Court today.
Rather than accepting the end of their relationship, Young killed the 23-year-old because he couldn’t bear the thought of her moving on without him.
Defense attorney Mr. Casement requested the court consider Young’s age, his challenging childhood, substance dependence, and mental health struggles during sentencing.
He admitted that the sole indicator of remorse was Young’s acceptance of guilt through his plea and a supportive note from Young’s sister included in her letter of reference.
Ms McGuire’s parents Debbie and Glenn wiped away tears as Justice Elliott held a minute’s silence for their daughter during the plea hearing.
Young, who was seated in the back of the Ballarat courtroom, kept his head down during the moment of reflection.
Justice Elliott did not set a day down for the sentencing hearing, instead indicating he would need some time to consider all of the material.
Young was remanded in custody.
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