Key Points
- A man accused of murdering his ex-girlfriend while out on bail for rape will remain behind bars.
- Daniel Billings is charged with the domestic violence murder of 28-year-old Molly Ticehurst.
- Her body was found in a home at Forbes in central-western NSW on Monday.
This article contains references to rape and sexual assault.
A man accused of brutally murdering his ex-girlfriend allegedly raped, stalked and intimidated her in the months before the killing, prompting a review into why he was free on bail.
Daniel Billings is charged with the domestic violence-related murder of childcare worker Molly Ticehurst, 28, whose body was found in a home at Forbes, in central-western NSW, early on Monday morning.
The 29-year-old, from Dalby in Queensland, did not appear when his case was briefly mentioned in Orange Local Court on Tuesday.
Court documents show Billings was on bail at the time of the killing, facing three counts of sexual intercourse without consent and four charges of stalking and intimidating Ticehurst in recent months.
NSW Premier Chris Minns said concerns about Daniel Billings being on bail and the strength of AVOs were "legitimate". Source: AAP / Bianca De Marchi
In addition to the murder charge, he faces fresh counts of failing to comply with his bail conditions and breaching an apprehended violence order.
The case has prompted wider concern about why Billings was freed on bail and the strength of apprehended violence orders.
Premier Chris Minns said those were "legitimate questions" and the government would review what happened in the lead-up to the alleged murder.
"A family has lost their daughter and the circumstances are horrifying for that community and that family," he told reporters on Tuesday.
"Listening to her dad ... your heart breaks for him, he's justifiably angry, he's completely heartbroken, he wants answers as to what happened."
Public Service Association of NSW president Stewart Little said courts were not adequately protecting women, making police and corrections officers' work more difficult.
"It's a kick in the guts for frontline police and for our members that work in the criminal justice system," he said.
Detective inspector Jason Darcy earlier said Billings and Ticehurst had been in a relationship and the "brutal" killing had devastated her family.
"Naturally they're just distraught," he said on Monday.
Billings did not apply for bail on Tuesday and it was refused by magistrate David Day.
Day also formally revoked bail on the earlier charges — which were dealt with by a different court — adding Billings had not yet entered pleas that were due.
"That's not good enough," he said.
Billings is due to appear in Parkes Local Court on 20 June.
Readers seeking crisis support can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.
If you or someone you know wants to talk about sexual assault or harassment, family or domestic violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit www.1800RESPECT.org.au
In an emergency, call 000.
