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

A man accused of raping his ex-girlfriend three times, smashing her car windows and assaulting her dog was granted bail because he did not have a criminal history, court documents show.

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, Billings was allowed to roam the streets because he had no criminal history.

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.

‘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.’

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

Billings’ 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. 

More to come