The NSW Government has sought advice from a top lawyer to determine if urgent bail reform is needed after the alleged murder of a young Forbes mother.
“The government today by the Attorney General will be making a formal referral to the Crown Advocate David Kell SC, seeking urgent advice in relation to this matter for the government to determine whether urgent law reform is required in relation to bail laws in the state particularly as they relate to domestic violence offences in New South Wales,” Premier Chris Minns said.
Molly Ticehurst.
“This was a terrible, terrible death. The alleged murder of a young mum in a town that’s deeply traumatised.”
The Crown Advocate, who provides legal advice to the state government, will look into the decisions made in the lead up to Molly Ticehurst’s alleged murder, including to grant her alleged killer bail in the weeks prior. The advice will be returned by the end of May.
Police allege Ticehurst was killed by her ex-partner, Daniel Billings, on Monday. Billings was released on bail just weeks before the young mother was killed, accused of sexually assaulting her, destroying her property and one count of animal cruelty.
Emergency services found the body of Ticehurst, 28, at a home in Forbes just after 2am on Monday. Daniel Billings, 29, was later arrested and charged with murder (DV) and contravening an apprehended violence order.
According to court records, Dubbo Local Court registrar L. Cusack placed him on an interim apprehended violence order and released him on $5000 bail on April 6.
Billings’ case was briefly mentioned in Orange Local Court on Tuesday. He made no application for bail and had his bail from previous charges revoked.
The Bail Act Monitoring Group – a panel including representatives from Corrective Services and the Director of Public Prosecutions – will also be consulted regarding potential reforms.