Daniel Billings is seeking to appeal his 28-year prison sentence for murdering Molly Ticehurst in Forbes, central-western New South Wales, adding to the distress facing her family.
Billings, 31, received a maximum sentence of 28 years, with a non-parole period of 20 years, after pleading guilty to killing Ms Ticehurst. The sentence was handed down by NSW Supreme Court Justice Natalie Adams on September 11 and was widely criticised as too lenient.
The NSW Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions said on Friday that it would not challenge the sentence. Billings, however, filed a last-minute notice of intention to appeal later that day.
A statement from the NSW Supreme Court said the notice had been lodged late on Friday and that Billings had one year to file a notice of appeal.
Appeal could delay review into Molly Ticehurst’s support
The appeal is likely to delay the release of a government review into Ms Ticehurst’s contact with the Staying Home Leaving Violence scheme, which is intended to help victims improve security at home.
Her mother, Kate Shaw, had urged NSW Premier Chris Minns to publish the review. The state government has said it will release the findings once the legal process is complete, a point that could now be more than a year away.
“She was my only child, was much loved and is sorely missed by me, her father Tony, her son, her extended family and many friends,” Ms Shaw said after Billings was sentenced.
Orange independent MP Philip Donato, who criticised the sentence, said the prospect of an appeal was “shocking”.
“(It’s) just adding to the stress and ongoing trauma of Molly’s family, friends and community,” Mr Donato told AAP on Monday.
Billings broke into Ms Ticehurst’s home late on April 21, 2024, smashing through the window of her bedroom before stabbing her 15 times, the court heard.
He had repeatedly threatened to kill her after she ended their on-off relationship in December 2023. Ms Ticehurst reported him to police in early April following months of threats and abuse.
Billings was charged with sexual assault, domestic violence stalking and intimidation offences. Those sexual assault charges were dropped after 18 months of closed-door legal negotiations, when he pleaded guilty to murder in November 2025.
He also admitted killing Ms Ticehurst’s dachshund puppy with a hammer after an earlier break-up in mid-2023.
Billings was released on bail by a local court registrar a fortnight before the murder after spending one night in custody. The court heard that, following his conditional release, he became consumed by the belief he had been wrongly accused of rape and formed a plan to kill Ms Ticehurst.
The family waited more than 800 days for Billings to be sentenced.
