World · East Asia & Pacific · 21 hrs ago
Prosecutors will not appeal Daniel Billings’s 28-year sentence
Daniel Billings pleaded guilty to stabbing his former partner, Molly Ticehurst, to death in her home in Forbes, New South Wales, in April 2024.
He was sentenced to 28 years in prison, with 20 years before he can be considered for parole.
The sentence was reduced from 35 years after he pleaded guilty.
The NSW Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions has decided not to appeal.
The decision followed criticism from politicians and Ticehurst’s friends, who said the sentence was not long enough.
Billings was on bail for alleged offences against Ticehurst when he killed her; he denies one of those allegations, sexual assault.
A NSW government review of Ticehurst’s contact with public agencies and domestic violence services was announced in 2024, and the government said it would share as much information as possible once the appeal process ended.
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions will not appeal Daniel Billings’s 28-year sentence for murdering Molly Ticehurst.
Billings was sentenced to 28 years in prison, with a non-parole period of 20 years, in the Orange Supreme Court.
He pleaded guilty to stabbing Ticehurst, his former partner, to death at her home in Forbes in April 2024.
The sentence drew criticism from politicians and people close to Ticehurst, who said it was too lenient.
- Who
- The NSW Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions and Daniel Billings.
- What
- Prosecutors will not appeal Billings’s 28-year sentence for murdering Molly Ticehurst.
- When
- The ODPP announced its decision on October 10, 2026.
- Where
- Orange Supreme Court, New South Wales; Ticehurst was killed at her home in Forbes.
- Why
- The ODPP said it considered the sentence and circumstances of the case and made its decision under prosecution guidelines.
NSW Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions
Phil Donato and critics of the sentence
Appeal decision
NSW Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions
The ODPP decided not to appeal, saying it had considered the sentence and circumstances and followed prosecution guidelines.
Phil Donato and critics of the sentence
Donato called the decision disappointing and said the killing was among the most serious types of domestic homicide.
Appropriate sentence
NSW Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions
The ODPP did not challenge the sentence of 28 years, with a 20-year non-parole period.
Phil Donato and critics of the sentence
Donato said Billings deserved a life sentence; Premier Chris Minns said he wanted to see a much longer sentence.
Having carefully considered the sentence imposed and the circumstances of this case, the ODPP has determined not to institute an appeal against Mr Billing's sentence
If that's not the most serious type of domestic homicide then I don't know what is
It's a vicious, horrible crime. I would have loved to see him [get] far, far longer
There's nothing that will bring Molly back and no time was ever going to be enough
The NSW government announced a review of Ticehurst’s contact with government agencies and domestic violence services after she reported Billings to police.
Billings stabbed Ticehurst to death at her home in Forbes.
Justice Natalie Adams sentenced Billings to 28 years in prison, with a non-parole period of 20 years.
Premier Chris Minns publicly criticised the sentence.
The ODPP announced it would not appeal the sentence.
- Sentence
- 28 years in prison
- Non-parole period
- 20 years
- Guilty plea discount
- Total sentence of 35 years reduced to 28 years
- Victim
- Molly Ticehurst, a childcare worker
- Murder location
- Ticehurst’s home in Forbes
- Sentencing court
- Orange Supreme Court
Sources
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