Latest news with #DanielBillings
The Guardian
3 days ago
- The Guardian
Defence granted adjournment in Molly Ticehurst murder case, 16 months after NSW woman's death
Prosecutors have been told to speak to the bereaved family of Molly Ticehurst, as the case against the man accused of her domestic violence murder drags on 16 months after her death. Daniel Billings, 30, is charged with murdering Ticehurst at her home in Forbes, central western NSW, in the early hours of April 22, 2024. Billings is yet to enter a plea. During a brief mention in Parkes local court on Friday morning, Billings' Legal Aid solicitor Diane Elston asked for the case to be adjourned, saying negotiations between the lawyers were continuing. There would still be 'some work to do' after the prosecution and defence teams meet later in August, she said. Magistrate Brett Thomas agreed to a seven-week adjournment, finding it was in the interests of 'members of the community, the family of the victim, the defendant and the Crown'. But he acknowledged the delay for Ticehurst's family, who have attended each of Billings' court dates. Prosecutors should 'be in contact with them today and just explain the situation to them,' Thomas said. Deputy senior crown prosecutor Lee Carr SC, appearing from Sydney, agreed. 'That can be accommodated easily,' he said. Billings, Ticehurst's former boyfriend, had been freed on bail by a local court registrar a fortnight before the alleged murder on charges including three counts of sexual intercourse without consent against her. Billings was also charged with four counts of stalking and intimidating her, destroying her property and aggravated animal cruelty against her 12-week-old dachshund puppy in 2023. Four more serious charges, including one count of aggravated sexual assault, were laid in December 2024. Legal documents before the court accused Billings of threatening to cause Ticehurst further physical harm during the alleged aggravated sexual assault. He is facing a total of 17 charges, including breaching an AVO that was in place to protect Ticehurst. Following Ticehurst's death changes were made to NSW laws including stripping registrars of the power to grant bail and 'show cause' thresholds for domestic violence-related bail applications. A specific bail division of the local court was also created in July, ensuring bail applications can be dealt with more quickly in virtual courtrooms. Billings' case returns to court on October 3.
News.com.au
3 days ago
- News.com.au
Next move for man accused of murdering ex-partner Molly Ticehurst
The man accused of the domestic violence murder of his former partner Molly Ticehurst is in negotiations with prosecutors over the charges, a court has been told. Daniel Billings is alleged to have murdered the 28-year-old mother of one and childcare worker, who was found dead in her Forbes home in Central West NSW in April last year. He is charged with Ms Ticehurst's murder, breaching an apprehended violence order and failing to comply with bail conditions. He has also been charged with one count of threatening bodily harm, sexual intercourse without consent and two counts of recklessly damaging property. At the time of Ms Ticehurst's killing, Mr Billings was on bail over charges relating to his former partner, including four counts of stalking and intimidation, three counts of sexual intercourse without consent and animal cruelty. He was released on bail by a registrar at Dubbo Local Court two weeks before Ms Ticehurst's alleged murder. Members of Ms Ticehurst's family were in Forbes Local Court on Friday morning as Mr Billings' matter was mentioned by magistrate Brett Thomas. Mr Billings has been in custody since his arrest and did not appear in court on Friday. His Legal Aid solicitor Diane Elston asked for a lengthy adjournment, as she is set to meet with prosecutors next week for a case conference. A case conference is held to discuss charges and any possible plea deals. 'The parties have been in negotiations, we had a case conference on the 1st of May and we've received the response to that case conference and a further case conference needs to be held,' Ms Elston told the court. The matter will return to court in October.
