The family of slain woman Molly Ticehurst is facing yet more heartache, as her murderer intends to appeal his jail sentence.
Daniel Billings, 31, was sentenced to a maximum of 28 years’ jail for Ticehurst’s domestic violence murder, which was an act of revenge for her reporting allegations of rape to police.
NSW Supreme Court Justice Natalie Adams set a non-parole period of 20 years on September 11, a sentence that attracted widespread criticism for its perceived leniency.
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Billings, a former mine worker, smashed into Ticehurst’s bedroom window at her house in Forbes, in central western NSW, late on April 21, 2024, stabbing her 15 times.
He had repeatedly threatened to kill her in the months after she ended their on-and-off relationship in December 2023.
While the NSW Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions on Friday said it would not challenge the sentence, Billings has filed a last-minute notice of intention to appeal.
The document was filed late on Friday and he has one year to lodge a notice of appeal, according to a statement from the NSW Supreme Court on Monday night.
Billings’ appeal likely dashes the family’s hopes of getting answers about Ticehurst’s dealings with domestic violence services in the lead-up to her death.
Her mother Kate Shaw had implored Premier Chris Minns to release a government report into her contact with the state’s Staying Home Leaving Violence scheme, designed to help victims boost their home security.
“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,” Shaw said in a statement after Billings was jailed.
The NSW government said it would publicly release the review once the legal process was finalised, which could take more than a year with an appeal on foot.
The Ticehurst family had to wait more than 800 days to see Billings sentenced, including 18 months of closed-door legal negotiations.
Those negotiations led to sexual assault charges against Billings being dropped when he finally pleaded guilty to Ticehurst’s murder in November 2025.
Orange independent MP Philip Donato, who was a vocal critic of Justice Adams’ sentence, said the news of the likely appeal was “shocking”.
“(It’s) just adding to the stress and ongoing trauma of Molly’s family, friends and community,” Donato told AAP on Monday.
After months of threats and abuse, Ticehurst reported Billings to police in early April 2024.
He was charged with the sexual assault offences, along with domestic violence stalking and intimidation charges.
Billings was also charged with animal cruelty, admitting he killed Ticehurst’s dachshund puppy with a hammer after an initial break-up in mid-2023.
He spent one night in police custody, but was freed on bail by a local court registrar a fortnight before the murder as there was no judge on duty on the weekend.
Upon his conditional release, Billings became enraged and obsessed with a belief he had been wrongfully accused of rape and formed a plan to kill her, the court heard.
If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual assault, domestic or family violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit 1800RESPECT.org.au.
In an emergency, call 000.
Advice and counselling for men concerned about their use of family violence: Men’s Referral Service, 1300 766 491.
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