By Perry Duffin
The NSW Police commissioner has denounced the “horrifying” alleged murder of young mother Molly Ticehurst and backed a state government review of bail laws as a priority as the national debate over domestic violence escalates.
The community of Forbes is mourning the death of Ticehurst, 28, who was allegedly beaten to death by former partner Daniel Billings in the central-west town earlier this week.
Karen Webb says the alleged murder is no “isolated incident” amid rising domestic violence crimes in NSW. Credit: Louise Kennerley
Billings had been released on bail despite facing allegations of multiple sexual and violent assaults on Ticehurst at the time of the alleged murder.
NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb on Thursday described Ticehurst’s death as a “terrible and frankly horrifying crime”.
“I’ll say from the outset that police share the sentiment of the community,” Webb said. “This shouldn’t have happened. And sadly, it’s not an isolated case.”
On Tuesday, NSW Premier Chris Minns announced a review of bail laws to determine “whether urgent law reform is required”, which Commissioner Webb on Thursday backed “as a priority”.
Photographs of Molly Ticehurst and her family, taken by her cousin, were shared alongside a touching tribute on Tuesday.Credit: Sharni Tolhurst Photography
“They will look at how offenders, like the recent alleged offender, are allowed back into the community,” Webb said.
“I will always support reform that makes our state a safer place and look forward to working closely with the government on this.”
Billings, 29, was released on bail by a registrar of Dubbo’s local court on April 6, about two weeks before he allegedly killed Ticehurst.
Police had fought Billings’ release, saying he posed a risk and had made threats against his former partner, the Herald has been told by sources close to the case, but not allowed to speak publicly.
Billings was released on a $5000 surety and an apprehended violence order to protect Ticehurst. He was ordered to stay out of Forbes.
Ticehurst laid low for a week after Billings’ release, allegedly telling her family she feared him.
Commissioner Webb is said to be hard-hit by Ticehurst’s death, saying domestic violence has been a priority since she took the top police job in NSW.
“I have always said domestic violence is a silent crime. That needs to change,” Webb said on Thursday.
Debate has swirled over bail laws and resourcing for local courts, the engine room of the justice system. These courts rely on registrars and magistrates to make dozens of decisions about accused persons seeking bail each day.
“Bail laws should be a focus here, but we also have to look past the courts at how we can stop this happening in the first place. And when it does happen, we need to make sure it’s reported,” Webb said.
Advocacy group Counting Dead Women Project has recorded 25 deaths of women from gender-based violence in 2024. That was an increase of 11 women compared to 2023, the group said.
The Bureau of Crime Research and Statistics last year noted an increase in domestic violence assaults in the last five years.
There were 36,072 domestic violence assaults in NSW last year, an increase of 6.7 per cent over the last two years.
In 2023, NSW Police announced a domestic violence registry, a specialist police team and a project to examine how police respond to domestic violence call-outs.
But Webb said more needed to be done “as an organisation and as a community.”
“I think together, we can change the way the people of NSW respond to domestic violence,” she said.
“We need to keep this issue in the spotlight, which is the first step to seeing a shift in community perception and more victims feeling empowered to speak up. Everyone has the right to live a life free from violence and abuse.”
If you or someone you know is affected by sexual assault, domestic or family violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732.
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