A primary school was forced into lockdown after an accused murderer threatened to come to his ex-girlfriend’s workplace following their break-up, a jury has been told.
Lachlan Young is accused of threatening Hannah McGuire two weeks before he allegedly murdered the 23-year-old and burnt her body in a ute in remote bushland.
Danielle McCann, the business manager of the Delacombe school where McGuire worked, said the school was effectively locked down on March 20, 2024, because of Young’s threats.
“(Hannah) came into my office and said she had been receiving threatening phone calls – he was threatening he would come to the school,” McCann told the Victorian Supreme Court today.
“I notified the principal and other staff. We made sure all external doors to the building were locked.”
McGuire wanted to take her students into the yard like she usually did, so McCann said she advised her to stay close to the office door.
Other staff members also kept an eye out for Young in case he came onto school grounds, McCann said.
McGuire had previously told McCann she was seeking an intervention order against Young following their break-up earlier in March, the business manager said.
McCann said she told the school leadership and office staff that if Young ever came to the school, they should say McGuire was away on a professional development session.
“She didn’t feel safe,” McCann said.
Some of McGuire’s other colleagues and friends also gave evidence today about Young’s alleged abusive and controlling behaviour.
Jaymie McDonald told the jury Young always appeared disrespectful to McGuire and called her a “fat b—h” after he saw a photo of her eating a potato cake.
Young also came to every ‘girls night’ McDonald and her friends organised with McGuire, she said.
He also ordered McGuire to come home and stop having fun when she went to Melbourne for McDonald’s birthday, the friend told the jury.
McDonald said after McGuire broke up with Young, she appeared happier and stronger.
“She had found such a glow,” the friend said.
It’s alleged Young murdered McGuire a few weeks after she separated from him.
Support is available from the National Sexual Assault, Domestic and Family Violence Counselling Service at 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732).
Readers seeking support can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or beyond blue on 1300 22 4636.
