Hannah McGuire’s loved ones set to face off with her killer Lachlan Young in court

Loved ones of Hannah McGuire will face off with her killer Lachlan Young in court after he sensationally pleaded guilty to her murder.

Loved ones of slain Hannah McGuire will face off with her killer to tell him how his actions have impacted their lives in a three-day pre-sentencing hearing.

Lachlan Young returned to the Supreme Court on Friday to set down dates for how his case will proceed after he sensationally pleaded guilty to murdering Ms McGuire midway through his trial last week.

The 23-year-old initially pleaded guilty to manslaughter, but not guilty to murder, claiming his former partner’s death was unplanned and spontaneous.

He admitted staging her death to look like a suicide by torching her vehicle with her body inside in remote bushland in Scarsdale, southwest of Ballarat, in April last year.

Mr Young remains in custody at Melbourne Remand Centre awaiting his sentencing over the horrendous crime.

Hannah McGuire’s loved ones are set to face off with her killer in court. Picture: Supplied

Lachlan Young is awaiting sentencing after pleading guilty to her murder. Picture: Supplied

He will return to court for a three-day hearing from October 27, where both the prosecution and the defence will make submissions on what an appropriate sentence would be.

Ms McGuire’s parents Debbie and Glenn McGuire are also expected to be among many people who will read out victim impact statements to the court.

Hannah McGuire’s parents Debbie and Glenn McGuire outside court. Picture: Ian Wilson

Prosecutor Kristie Churchill requested three days for the plea hearing as she was expecting “a large number of victim impact statements”.

Justice James Elliott will consider the impacts on Ms McGuire’s family and friends when handing down his punishment to Young.

Young is facing a maximum penalty of life imprisonment for murder.