A Supreme Court judge has held a minute of silence in memory of murdered teacher’s aide Hannah McGuire.

Lachlan James Young, 23, returned before the Supreme Court in Ballarat on Tuesday for the second day of a pre-sentence hearing over the murder of Ms McGuire in April last year.

Young had initially pleaded not guilty, but admitted he murdered her eight days into a trial on July 18.

Justice James Elliot paused court for a minute, as dozens of Ms McGuire’s family and friends packed out the courtroom about 10.45am.

He told the court it was not usual but had been done before, and wanted to acknowledge the impact on her family and community.

‘Shameful truth’

Senior Crown prosecutor Kristie Churchill began her address to the court on Tuesday by saying “women are entitled to have and to en

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