Molly Ticehurst’s family have made a strong call for a new law to be introduced to ensure authorities are aware at all times of the whereabouts of people who are out on bail while facing domestic violence charges.
Daniel Billings, 29, allegedly murdered Molly Ticehurst, 28, at the home they shared in Forbes, 375 kilometers west of Sydney, in the early hours of Monday, April 22.
The professional and amateur boxer was on bail at the time and facing a number of very serious charges, including the rape and harassment of Ms Ticehurst.
His death sparked a national outcry and prompted New South Wales Premier Chris Minns to announce the state government was considering urgent bail reforms.
Now Ticehurst’s family has called for changes to the law to ensure police are notified if alleged perpetrators breach bail or other court instructions.
Daniel Billings, 29, allegedly murdered Molly Ticehurst (pictured), 28, at the home they shared in Forbes, 375 kilometers west of Sydney, in the early hours of Monday, April 22.
Ticehurst’s family has called for changes to the law to ensure police are notified if alleged perpetrators breach bail or other court instructions.
This could take the form of electronic monitoring devices, such as ankle tags, which are already used for those on parole.
Family spokeswoman Jacinda Acheson said the court system had let Ticehurst down.
“There has to be something that says if you get bail today, we will know where you are the moment you get out of there,” Ms. Acheson told the ABC.
‘Monitoring devices need to be implemented and this needs to become Molly’s Law.
“Molly did everything she could and, when she finally became brave enough – and let’s make it very clear that Molly was brave, very, very brave and brave – to ask for help, the help was not given to her.
‘The justice system let Molly down; The victim support teams let Molly down.
“In Molly’s case, the police did everything they could to keep Molly safe.”
State member for Orange Phil Donato met with Ticehurst’s father on Monday and gave his support for alleged perpetrators using electronic tracking devices.
“It’s already working in the probation space,” Mr. Donato said.
‘There is no reason why it cannot also be extended to the protection of victims of domestic violence.
“If they entered an area they were not supposed to go, the authorities or the victim could be alerted as soon as possible.”
Ticehurst’s family and friends are also asking people across the country to pay tribute to him on Wednesday night by leaving their lights on.
‘Things happen in the dark. “Leave the light on for Molly,” said family spokeswoman Mrs. Acheson.
‘Say their names, don’t let them become statistics. Tell their stories, not the perpetrator’s stories. Relate to them as if they were your daughters, your sisters, your friends.’