The man who has pleaded guilty to raping and murdering aspiring comedian Eurydice Dixon in Melbourne stalked her for almost an hour before the attack, the Supreme Court has been told.

Ms Dixon, 22, was attacked, raped and murdered as she walked home through Princes Park in Melbourne’s inner-north in June 2018.

Her body was found by a passer-by in the early hours of June 13.

Jaymes Todd, of Broadmeadows, pleaded guilty to Ms Dixon’s rape and murder in November last year.

In court on Thursday morning, for the first day of a two-day plea hearing, Todd sat quietly with his eyes shut for long periods of the proceedings.

Ms Dixon’s death sparked grief across Melbourne, and throughout Australia. Photo: Getty

Footage of Todd stalking Ms Dixon played to court

A compilation of security vision from the night of the crime was played to Tuesday morning’s hearing.

Ms Dixon was walking home after performing comedy at a city venue when she was attacked by Todd.

According to a summary released by the court, Todd followed the young woman for more than 4 kilometres, from Flinders Street Station, through the CBD and into Carlton.

The court heard he followed her for 54 minutes.

The death prompted an outpouring of grief across Melbourne and Australia and sparked a national discussion about women’s right to feel safe.

Candlelit vigils were held in Melbourne, Sydney and Canberra.

Ms Dixon was remembered by friends and family as a kind and intelligent woman whose comedy often tackled feminism and other social issues.

-ABC