Daniel Billings, the former boyfriend of Molly Ticehurst, has confessed to her murder in a domestic violence case, alongside other charges.
On Friday morning, Billings participated via audio-video link from Forbes Local Court in central western New South Wales to enter his guilty plea.
The 30-year-old, currently held in the supermax section of Goulburn jail, also admitted to three additional charges, one of which includes animal cruelty.
During the court session, Billings appeared on screen for the first time in over a year, dressed in prison attire, his hair styled in dreadlocks, and sporting a small moustache.
He only spoke to confirm his ability to hear the proceedings, while his Legal Aid lawyer, Diane Elston, formally entered the guilty plea on his behalf.
“Yes, Your Honour,” Billings replied when addressed by Magistrate Michael Maher.
Ticehurst’s mother sat in court watching the plea with her hand over her mouth.
About 50 Forbes locals gathered in the park outside the courthouse to support the Ticehurst family, some wearing t-shirts saying: “She matters”.
Ticehurst, a 28-year-old childcare educator, was found dead in her home at Forbes in the early hours of April 22, 2024.
Billings was freed on bail by a local court registrar a fortnight before the murder, despite being charged with several counts of raping Ticehurst and domestic violence offences.
Police had taken out an interim apprehended violence order against Billings on Ticehurst’s behalf.
The pleas came more than 18 months after Billings was charged with murder, following a mental health assessment and lengthy legal negotiations.
The last time the case was adjourned on November 3, Ticehurst’s father Tony Ticehurst said the delay had caused their family further distress.
“It seems to me that in life, the system let Molly down and in death continues the same route,” Mr Ticehurst told reporters.
“Instead of getting closure, all we get is anxiety, sadness and heartache.”
Ticehurst’s murder 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.
The matter will be adjourned for arraignment in the NSW Supreme Court.
