Father of murdered childcare worker confronts killer in court as sentencing hearing continues

The father of a murdered childcare worker has told his daughter's killer: "I hope that every night Molly's screams keep you awake."

Warning: This article includes descriptions of domestic violence and murder.

Victim impact statements from members of Molly Ticehurst's family are today being delivered in the NSW Supreme Court at Orange, some 100 kilometres east of where she was found dead in her Forbes home two years ago.

In November last year, Daniel Billings pleaded guilty to murdering his ex-girlfriend after he broke into her house late at night on April 21, 2024 and stabbed her 15 times.

He also admitted to killing a pet dachshund with a hammer and breaching an apprehended violence order.

Billings was out on bail at the time of her murder, a fact that sparked a nationwide outcry over bail laws for domestic violence offenders.

Ms Ticehurst's father, Tony Ticehurst, told the court that "no sentence will ever be long enough".

"When she died, a part of me died with her."

"I am no longer just Tony, people look at me and say, 'That's the woman who was killed's father.'"

Mr Ticehurst told the court that he would be forever proud that "Molly's Law" had been introduced in the wake of his daughter's death.

In June 2024, NSW passed a law making it mandatory for electronic monitoring devices to be worn by people who were on bail for certain DV charges.

Those accused of serious domestic violence offences must also now demonstrate why they should be given bail and court registrars are no longer allowed to make bail decisions.

"I still ask myself why it took Molly's life for this to happen," Mr Ticehurst said.

"I will grieve the loss of you for the rest of my life."

Son carries Molly's ashes with him

Ms Ticehurst's cousin, Melissa Shaw, told the court her death had "destroyed" each member of her family in their own way.

"Molly should never have been a headline.

"I never want my children to forget her … but with that comes a reminder that she will never come home."

Billings arrived at the court on Thursday morning in a police van wearing a black suit with a white shirt, white trainers, and his dreadlocked hair tied back off his face.

He entered the courtroom and looked around the space, which was packed with Ms Ticehurst's family members, journalists and supporters wearing T-shirts inscribed with messages such as "#HernameisMolly".

Supporters of Ms Ticehurst were staring straight ahead while her mother cradled her head in her hand.

Family friend Gaby Shepherd read a statement by Molly's mother Kate Ticehurst, who said her sleepless nights were "too numerous to count".

"I would like to know the reason he did this. Why?" her statement said.

"Molly would light up a room with her contagious laugh and her joyful personality."

A short victim impact statement written by Molly's son was read out by a family member.

"I really miss my mum because I miss going on holidays and mowing the lawn," they said.

"I miss watching Ice Age in her room."

Videos were 'suicide note'

Forensic psychiatrist Olav Nielssen wrote a report for the defence assessing Billings's mental health at the time of the murder.

He consulted with Billings three times via video from the supermax section of the Goulburn Correctional Centre.

Mr Nielssen told the court that several videos the offender made in the hours before Ms Ticehurst's death showed he was experiencing a depressive illness.

"The videos … were a suicide note," he said.

"The best pointer to the severity of his condition is that he was contemplating suicide to the extent his friends arranged a kind of suicide watch for him."

Mr Nielssen said Billings had a "difficult" background which included his father's death when he was 12-years-old, a physically abusive mother and substance misuse.

The court heard he had attempted suicide on previous occasions.

The sentencing hearing continues.