Molly Ticehurst’s accused killer held in NSW’s toughest prison

Daniel Billings briefly appeared in Parkes Local Court this morning via audio-visual link from the High Risk Management Correctional Centre at Goulburn jail.

Billings, who was wearing prison greens and had a moustache and dreadlocked hair, did not speak but nodded to confirm he could hear the court proceedings.

The 29-year-old appeared on screen from a small room at the correctional centre, which is designed to house high-risk male inmates or those with a “high public profile”, according to Corrective Services NSW’s website.

Magistrate Brett Thomas adjourned Billings’ case, allowing prosecutors time to prepare a brief of evidence.

Billings is charged with the murder of Ticehurst, 28, whose body was found in her home at Forbes, in central-western NSW, in the early hours of April 22.

He was on bail at the time of the alleged murder for charges related to Ticehurst, including three counts of sexual intercourse without consent and four counts of stalking and intimidating her.

The earlier charges also included two counts of recklessly destroying property at her house, and aggravated animal cruelty against her 12-week-old dachshund puppy.

He then appeared in Parkes Local Court on April 18, when his bail was continued.

Billings’ freedom was formally revoked by a magistrate in Orange the day after his arrest on the murder charge.

Alongside the murder charge, Billings is accused of breaching an apprehended violence order and failing to comply with bail conditions.

Ticehurst’s death intensified a growing movement against gendered violence and sparked NSW government changes to bail laws.

During today’s brief mention, Thomas granted Billings’ Legal Aid lawyer’s request to appear by audio-visual link when the case returns to court.

“Mr Billings will be on the AVL at this stage as well,” Thomas said.

The case was adjourned to Parkes Local Court on August 22.