By Perry Duffin and Sarah McPhee
Prosecutors warned Daniel Billings was showing the “concerning behaviour” of a domestic abuser escalating toward “the most disturbing conclusion” - but within just 12 minutes he was released by a court. Two weeks later he allegedly murdered his ex-partner Molly Ticehurst.
The haunting words of the prosecutor, recorded in a transcript of Billings’ April 6 court hearing and released to this masthead, reveal how Billings’ lawyer argued for his bail in the face of serious rape charges and his alleged threats to break into Ticehurst’s home.
Molly Ticehurst (left) and her accused murderer Daniel Billings.Credit: Sharni Tolhurst Photography, Facebook
Billings, 29, was charged with murdering 28-year-old Ticehurst at her home in Forbes on Monday morning.
It soon emerged Billings, originally from Queensland, had been charged earlier this month with three counts of sexual intercourse without consent and four counts of stalking or intimidating Ticehurst.
He had also been charged with aggravated animal cruelty against her daschund puppy.
Billings had been held in police custody until he faced Dubbo Local Court on April 6 - it was a Saturday, meaning there was no magistrate.
NSW Police Prosecutor Edward Knight appeared before the court registrar, L Cusack, at 10.47am, the court transcript notes, as Billings dialled into the court using the videolink.
Knight immediately warned the court that Billings was a risk of committing “further serious offences and endangering the safety” of Ticehurst and her family.
“The evidence in the facts seems fairly detailed and gives examples of quite concerning behaviour that are indicative of features in domestic violence offenders that we see often come to light after the most disturbing conclusions to their conduct,” Knight said.
“That is, an inability to let go of the relationship. A feeling of possessiveness and jealousness over the woman. Repeated threats in relation to … her not being with someone else.”
Knight said Billings had no criminal history but had made “repeated threats to family members” and specific threats “to coming back, knowing where [Ticehurst] lives, coming in the window”.
A Facebook photo of Molly Ticehurst.
Domestic violence victims, Knight told the court, are not protected by anonymity and that raised concerns about Billings’ ongoing conduct.
The charges of sexual assault, stalking and animal cruelty Billings was before the court on, Knight said, were “the most serious types of allegations”.
His statements were prompted by Cusack asking Knight “what do you have to say in relation to bail”, but Knight was not explicitly asked if bail was opposed.
Billings’ own lawyer, Bridget Byrnes, told the court Billings was entitled to the presumption of innocence and denied the allegations.
He worked as an exploration driller in Parkes and was wearing his work clothes, Byrnes said.
A Queensland address was listed as Billings’ home, but his lawyer told the court that was where his former wife and son live. He visits only “from time to time”, Byrnes added, and she said he was no risk of fleeing NSW.
Byrnes promised Billings would stay 25 kilometres from Forbes, where Ticehurst lives, and is “able to follow any AVO that is in place”.
Billings promised the court, through his lawyer, he would follow any condition needed to be released on bail.
Registrar Cusack ordered Billings secure $5000 surety and confirmed he was on an AVO.
“I won’t be under any apprehension that these are not very serious charges,” Cusack said.
“And the reason I am granting you bail today, you have no previous criminal record, however this is now, these are very serious charges.
“So I am going to give you very strict bail today.”
The registrar ordered Billings to be of good behaviour, live in Parkes, report to police each day, stay away from Ticehurst, stay sober and comply with the AVO.
Billings said he understood, and nothing more.
The hearing ended at 10.59am, 12 minutes after it began, with Billings knocking on the door and taking his first steps on bail.
Billings had fronted court again on Thursday April 18, days before the alleged murder, where a magistrate continued his bail.
Ticehurst was found dead on Monday.
NSW Premier Chris Minns, the following day, announced a review of bail laws to determine “whether urgent law reform is required”.
NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb, on Thursday, backed the review “as a priority”.
“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.”
Billings did not apply for bail on Tuesday and it was formally refused. His bail was also revoked on the earlier charges. The matter was adjourned to Parkes Local Court on June 20.
If you or someone you know is affected by sexual assault, domestic or family violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732.