Daniel Billings, the former boyfriend of Molly Ticehurst, has admitted to the domestic violence murder of Ticehurst, along with several other charges. His admission was made during a court appearance via audio-video link at Forbes Local Court in central western New South Wales on a recent Friday morning.

The 30-year-old Billings, currently held in the supermax section of Goulburn jail, confessed not only to the heinous crime of murder but also to three additional charges, including one of animal cruelty. His appearance marked the first time he was seen on screen in over a year of legal proceedings.

Clad in prison attire, with dreadlocked hair and a modest moustache, Billings appeared remotely from the correctional facility. During the brief proceedings, he only spoke to confirm that he could hear the court’s activities, while his Legal Aid solicitor, Diane Elston, officially confirmed his plea.

He appeared on screen from jail for the first time in over a year of court proceedings, wearing prison greens with dreadlocked hair and a small moustache.

Billings spoke only to confirm he could hear the proceedings, while his Legal Aid solicitor Diane Elston confirmed the plea.

“Yes, Your Honour,” Billings said, acknowledging Magistrate Michael Maher.b

Ticehurst’s mother sat in court watching the plea with her hand over her mouth.

About 50 Forbes locals gathered in the park outside the courthouse to support the Ticehurst family, some wearing t-shirts saying: “She matters”.

Ticehurst, a 28-year-old childcare educator, was found dead in her home at Forbes in the early hours of April 22, 2024.

Billings was freed on bail by a local court registrar a fortnight before the murder, despite being charged with several counts of raping Ticehurst and domestic violence offences.

Police had taken out an interim apprehended violence order against Billings on Ticehurst’s behalf.

The pleas came more than 18 months after Billings was charged with murder, following a mental health assessment and lengthy legal negotiations.

The last time the case was adjourned on November 3, Ticehurst’s father Tony Ticehurst said the delay had caused their family further distress.

“It seems to me that in life, the system let Molly down and in death continues the same route,” Mr Ticehurst told reporters.

“Instead of getting closure, all we get is anxiety, sadness and heartache.”

Ticehurst’s murder intensified a national campaign against domestic and gendered violence.

The movement sparked changes to NSW laws, including stripping registrars of the power to grant bail, “show cause” thresholds for domestic violence-related bail applications and electronic monitoring for accused people.

The matter will be adjourned for arraignment in the NSW Supreme Court.