Four additional charges have been laid against Daniel Billings, the man accused of killing his former partner, Molly Ticehurst.
Billings, 29, who was on bail at the time of the alleged murder of Ticehurst, has already been charged with murder, sexual assault, stalking and intimidation, animal cruelty and breaching an apprehended violence order.
Now, four more charges have been laid, including aggravated sexual intercourse without consent, threatening bodily harm and two counts of reckless property damage relating to a pedestal fan and a car window.
Ticehurst, a 28-year-old childcare worker and mother, was found dead at her home in Forbes in April this year. Billings was arrested shortly after. At the time, he was on bail for other domestic violence related charges including sexual assault.
The alleged murder of Ticehurst by Billings sparked a renewed conversation in Australia about the state of men’s violence against women, as well as sparking a push for bail law reform in New South Wales.
Ticehurt’s family and friends led the discussion about bail law reform, saying that the judicial system had let Molly down.
About a month after her death, the NSW government moved to reverse the presumption of bail for domestic violence offenders, as well as introduce the electronic monitoring of offenders out in the community.
As we head into the festive season, the crisis of violence against women is top of mind for organisations on the frontline.
“Increased financial strain, tense family gatherings, and higher substance use can escalate already volatile situations, placing women and children in greater danger,” Women’s Community Shelter told Women’s Agenda this week.
Accord to Sherele Moody’s Australian Femicide Watch, 98 Australian women have been killed by violence this year.
If you or someone you know is experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, domestic, family or sexual violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732, text 0458 737 732 or visit 1800RESPECT.org.au for online chat and video call services.
If you are concerned about your behaviour or use of violence, you can contact the Men’s Referral Service on 1300 766 491 or visit http://www.ntv.org.au.