Distraught dad speaks out over murder case delays
Molly Ticehurst's death intensified a growing movement against gendered violence. Photo: AAP
The heartbroken father of slain childcare educator Molly Ticehurst believes the legal system is still letting down his daughter as the case against her accused killer faces more delays.
Her former boyfriend, Daniel Billings, 30, was charged later that day with her domestic-violence-related murder.
Billings had been freed on bail by a local court registrar a fortnight before the alleged murder despite being charged with several counts of raping Ticehurst and other domestic violence offences.
Police had taken out an interim apprehended violence order against Billings on Ticehurst’s behalf.
He is accused of breaching the order on the night of the alleged murder.
More than 18 months on, the case against Billings has not progressed to the Supreme Court and he has not entered pleas.
During a brief mention in Forbes Local Court on Monday, Billings’ Legal Aid solicitor Diane Elston said the case was not ready to proceed because she was unable to have a final face-to-face session with him at Goulburn jail.
Industrial action by Corrective Services NSW officers on Thursday had interfered with a planned meeting to go over legal documents, the court was told.
The case was adjourned until November 14, while Billings remained in the highest-security wing of the jail in southern NSW.
It was the latest in a string of adjournments during legal negotiations spanning months.
Outside court, Ticehurst’s father Tony became emotional while describing the heartache caused by the ongoing legal delays.
“I wish to express my disappointment (in) yet another delay in Molly’s case,” he told reporters.
“It seems to me that in life, the system let Molly down and in death (it) continues the same route.
“Instead of getting closure, all we get is anxiety, sadness and heartache.”
Childcare educator Molly Ticehurst was found dead in her NSW central west home.
Tony Ticehurst said he had been in touch with local MP Philip Donato, who offered to raise concerns about the delays with the state attorney-general.
Billings is facing 17 charges, including aggravated sexual assault, several counts of stalking and intimidation and property damage.
A fresh charge of animal cruelty, related to Molly Ticehurst’s puppy, was laid on October 27.
Her alleged 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.
Many of Molly Ticehurst’s family and friends have been attending court each time Billings’ case is mentioned.
1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732)
National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service 1800 211 028
–AAP
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