Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
AAP
AAP
National
Stephanie Gardiner

More delay in Molly Ticehurst's accused murderer's case

Childcare educator Molly Ticehurst was found dead in her NSW central west home. (Lukas Coch/AAP PHOTOS)

Molly Ticehurst's family and friends have gathered in hope of seeing her accused murderer face court, only for his case to be delayed again.

Daniel Billings, 30, was due to face Parkes Local Court on Friday morning, charged with the domestic violence murder of Ms Ticehurst.

During a brief mention in May, Magistrate Michael Maher ordered Billings to appear in court via audio-visual link for a committal.

Molly Ticehurst's father Tony Ticehurst (right)
Molly Ticehurst's father Tony (right) was among family and friends who attended court. (Stephanie Gardiner/AAP PHOTOS)

It would have been the first time Billings, who is in custody in the supermax wing of Goulburn jail, has appeared since June 2024. 

But as Ms Ticehurst's parents and a large group of relatives and friends watched on from the small public gallery, the court was told Billings would not appear and the matter was adjourned until August.

Deputy senior crown prosecutor Lee Carr SC and Billings' Legal Aid solicitor Diane Elston briefly discussed a subpoena.

Ms Ticehurst, a 28-year-old childcare educator, was found dead in her home at Forbes in the NSW central west in the early hours of April 22, 2024.

Billings, her former boyfriend, is charged with her domestic violence murder, along with 16 other offences.

He had been freed on bail by a local court registrar a fortnight before the alleged murder on charges related to Ms Ticehurst, including three counts of sexual intercourse without consent.

Billings was also charged with four counts of stalking and intimidating her, destroying her property and aggravated animal cruelty against her 12-week-old dachshund puppy in 2023.

Parkes courthouse
Daniel Billings' case returns to court on August 15. (Stephanie Gardiner/AAP PHOTOS)

Four more serious charges, including one count of aggravated sexual assault, were laid in December 2024.

Legal documents before the court accused Billings of threatening to cause Ms Ticehurst further physical harm during the alleged aggravated sexual assault.

Billings has not entered pleas.

Ms Ticehurst's death intensified a national campaign against domestic and gendered violence.

The movement sparked changes to NSW laws, including stripping registrars of the power to grant bail, "show cause" thresholds for domestic violence-related bail applications and electronic monitoring for accused people.

Billings' case returns to court on August 15.

1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732)

Lifeline 13 11 14

Men's Referral Service 1300 766 491

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.