Daniel Billings has been sentenced to 28 years in jail for the murder of his former partner, Molly Ticehurst. Justice Natalie Adams imposed a non-parole period of 20 years in the NSW supreme court in Orange today.
Ms Ticehurst, a 28-year-old childcare worker, was found dead at her home in Forbes on 22 April 2024. Billings, her former boyfriend, broke into her bedroom and stabbed her 15 times with a hunting knife.
Justice Adams found Billings' actions were in the high range of seriousness, noting he had threatened to kill Ms Ticehurst in the same manner. The murder was described as an act of retribution and revenge after Ms Ticehurst reported allegations of sexual assault to police.
Billings pleaded guilty to murder after legal negotiations, which led to sexual assault charges being dropped in November 2025. Charges of property damage, animal cruelty, and breaching an apprehended violence order were considered in the sentence. Billings will be eligible for parole in April 2044.