NSW Premier says killer's 28-year term is too short
Daniel Billings received a 28-year maximum sentence for stabbing ex-girlfriend Molly Ticehurst 15 times, but Premier Chris Minns says it is inadequate.
Daniel Billings, 31, was sentenced on Friday to a maximum of 28 years in prison for murder. Daniel Billings was on bail when he smashed through Molly Ticehurst's bedroom window and stabbed her 15 times with a hunting knife on April 21, 2024.
Justice Natalie Adams found he acted in revenge after she reported sexual assault allegations to police. Ticehurst was a childcare educator and mother from Forbes.
Premier Chris Minns said the sentence was "inadequate" and called Billings "a complete bastard". Minns said he would have preferred far longer.
The office has been asked whether it will appeal the sentence. Billings pleaded guilty to murder in November 2025 after more than 500 days of legal negotiations.
The judge gave a 20 per cent discount, noting his age and clean record. Prosecutors had urged her to remove the discount entirely.
- 28 years prison
- Maximum sentence
- 15 times with hunting knife
- Stabbing count
- April 21, 2024
- Murder date
- November 2025 after 500+ days negotiations
- Guilty plea
Why it mattersThe case highlights tensions between judicial discretion and community pressure in domestic violence murders, and whether the sentence reflects the severity of the crime.
AustraliaThe case raises questions about how Australian courts balance sentencing discounts with the severity of domestic violence homicides.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 8 d ago
