Molly Ticehurst: Transcript reveals the reason Daniel Billings got granted bail by a court staffer when he was accused of rape - after cops warned she could be in danger in Forbes

  • Read the 12-minute transcript of Daniel Billings' bail hearing
  • Granted bail in April following rape and stalking charges  
  • Fifteen days later, he allegedly murdered Molly Ticehurst

The man accused of murdering Molly Ticehurst was granted bail on charges of raping her three times, smashing her car windows and assaulting her dog because he did not have a criminal history. 

Daniel Billings, 29, allegedly murdered Molly Ticehurst, 28, at the home they used to share in Forbes, 375km west of Sydney, sometime between midnight and 1.50am on Monday.

The pair were in a relationship for about 18 months until July 2023, but briefly got back together in December that year.

At the time of the alleged murder, Billings had already faced court in Dubbo over a string of alleged incidents involving Ms Ticehurst between January and April this year. 

He allegedly raped her three times, stalked and harassed her four times, smashed her car windows, and assaulted her 12-week-old dachshund, but was granted bail by a registrar in Dubbo Bail Court on April 6.

According to a transcript of his bail application, seen by Daily Mail Australia on Friday afternoon, Billings - who attended the hearing via audio-visual link dressed in work shirt - was released on bail because he had no criminal history.

Molly Ticehurst is pictured with her six-year-old son. She was allegedly murdered on Monday

Molly Ticehurst is pictured with her six-year-old son. She was allegedly murdered on Monday

Molly Ticehurst was allegedly murdered by her ex-boyfriend Daniel Billings, who worked for a drilling company

Molly Ticehurst was allegedly murdered by her ex-boyfriend Daniel Billings, who worked for a drilling company

The bail hearing was heard over 12 minutes before a registrar - a court staffer who is trained to hear bail applications, but who is not required to have a law degree like a magistrate.

According to the transcript, the police prosecutor Sergeant Knight made a lengthy submission as to why Billings should not be allowed out on bail.

Sergeant Knight described Billings' behaviour to the court as 'quite concerning' and 'indicative of features in domestic violence offenders that we see often come to light after the most disturbing conclusions to their conduct'.

He said: 'That is, an inability to let go of the relationship.'

'A feeling of possessiveness and jealousness over the woman. Repeated threats in relation to … her not being with someone else.'

He said specific threats included knowing where she lived and 'coming in the window'.

'This is what puts domestic violence victims in a different category as opposed to those victims who are either anonymous or a subject of personal violence offences because their anonymity provides protection,' he continued.

A forensics team was seen looking through a broken window at the front of Ms Ticehurst's home

A forensics team was seen looking through a broken window at the front of Ms Ticehurst's home

Floral tributes sat outside the home while forensics continued gathering evidence

Floral tributes sat outside the home while forensics continued gathering evidence 

'Domestic violence victims don't get such anonymity and it is that very issue that raises the concern for the ongoing conduct of the defendant. These are the most serious types of allegations.'

Sgt Knight told the court he believed there was a 'real issue' that Billings could interfere with Ms Ticehurst's safety.

Billings' defence lawyer Bridget Byrnes told the court the allegations were serious, but said her client denied the allegations against him and was entitled to the presumption of innocence.

She said he had a four-year-old son in Queensland but was unlikely to flee the state in light of his criminal charges because he had held a job at Resolution Drilling for three years.

'I note that [Ms Ticehurst] resides in Forbes, Mr Billings informs me that if granted bail is able to abide the condition not to enter or go within 25km of that town,' she told the court.

'He's able to follow any AVO that is in place ... And any other conditions that the court deems necessary in order to have his liberty restored.'

The registrar agreed to grant bail, provided someone was able to agree to pay $5000, which they would lose if he breached his bail conditions.

Billings agreed that someone would be able to provide the money.

Daniel Billings (pictured) was arrested after he allegedly murdered Molly Ticehurst at her home on Monday

Daniel Billings (pictured) was arrested after he allegedly murdered Molly Ticehurst at her home on Monday

The registrar then read eight conditions Billings would have to abide by, including that he was not allowed to commit any further offences, he must report to police daily, reside at the same Parkes address, and not enter Forbes for any reason.

He was also ordered not to contact Ms Ticehurst or any prosecution witness unless it was through a lawyer.

'The registrar said: 'If bail is not met, Mr Billings, the jail will inform the court and the matter will be re-listed.'

Billings said: 'Understood.'

Fifteen days later, Billings allegedly drove to Forbes and murdered Ms Ticehurst. 

Instead of going back to his four-bedroom rental in Parkes after the alleged murder, Billings allegedly fled to a worksite in Fifield - a small town with a population of just 126 about 80km northwest of Ms Ticehurst's home.

Billings was arrested at the Fifield site within hours because a local became aware of his arrival and raised the alarm with police.

His matter was mentioned in Orange Local Court on Tuesday during which his bail was revoked.

The matter will be heard in court again on June 20.