The former boyfriend of Molly Ticehurst has pleaded guilty to her domestic violence murder and made other admissions.
Daniel Billings appeared via audio-video link in Forbes local court, in central western New South Wales, on Friday morning to enter the plea.
The 30-year-old, who is in custody in the supermax wing at Goulburn jail, also admitted three other charges including animal cruelty.
He appeared on screen from jail for the first time in more than a year of court proceedings, wearing prison greens, with dreadlocked hair and a small moustache.
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Billings spoke only to confirm he could hear the proceedings, while his Legal Aid solicitor, Diane Elston, confirmed the plea.
“Yes, your honour,” Billings said, acknowledging the 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 22 April 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, after a mental health assessment and lengthy legal negotiations.
The last time the case was adjourned on 3 November, Ticehurst’s father, Tony, said the delay had caused their family further distress.
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“It seems to me that, in life, the system let Molly down – and, in death, continues the same route,” Tony Ticehurst told reporters.
“Instead of getting closure, all we get is anxiety, sadness and heartache.”
Molly 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.