A man who violently killed his ex-partner in a crime that sparked new bail laws in NSW, will be eligible for parole in just under two decades.

Daniel Billings appeared before the Supreme Court in Orange for his final sentencing hearing for murdering Molly Ticehurst in her Forbes home on April 22, 2024.

The now 31-year-old pleaded guilty to forcing his way inside Ticehurst’s home and stabbing her to death in a frenzied attack.

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An apprehended violence order had been taken out against Billings at the time after Ticehurst accused him of raping her, an alleged crime which he was also released on bail for at the time of the murder.

Justice Natalie Adams on Friday read her sentencing judgement for Billings, putting him behind bars for 28 years with a non parole period of 20 years.

The sentence stretches back to when he was first taken into custody in 2024, meaning he could be released as early as 2044.

“Nothing I do in sentencing Billings today nor anything I say in explaining the reasons for that sentence can bring Molly Ticehurst back or provide her family with any meaningful closure or relief,” Justice Adams said.

“I have made a number of favourable findings in relation to Billings’ subjective case and his sentence will be ameliorated accordingly as part of my instinctive synthesis.

“These include remorse, hardship in custody, his plea of guilty, his lack of a prior criminal history and his reasonable prospects of rehabilitation.

“But these mitigating factors fall to be considered in the context of very serious offending.”

A man who murdered his ex-partner Molly Ticehurst has been sentenced to at least 20 years imprisonment. Credit: 7NEWS

It brings an end to a years long ordeal for the Ticehurst family as the court recounted Molly’s horrific murder in order to determine Billings’ sentence.

The family was united in grief as they read victim impact statements to the court last week.

Daniel Billings stabbed Ticehurst, a mother and childcare worker, to death in her home in Forbes in 2024. Credit: 7NEWS

Molly’s mother told the court she would “would light up a room with her contagious laugh and joyful personality and that she was loved by all that knew her”.

The statement from Molly’s now eight-year-old son, who can only be identified as ND, was read out by his father.

Recounting the statement, Justice Adams said the young boy “really missed his mum and missed going on holidays with her, mowing the lawn with her and watching the movie Ice Age in her room”.

“He said he loves his mum very much,” Adams said.

“Molly’s life was taken far too soon in a violent, malicious manner for no reason other than selfishness,” her mum Kate Ticehurst said.

“When I wake each day, it feels like I’m waking into a nightmare. When she died, part of me died with her. I am incomplete,” her father Tony Ticehurst said.

He pleaded guilty to murdering her and will be considered for release on parole as early as 2044. Credit: AAP

Tony then spoke directly to his daughter’s killer.

“I hope that every night Molly’s screams keep you awake and the hairs on your arms stand up in terror.”

Billings had repeatedly threatened the childcare worker and had already been charged with rape and domestic violence offences against her.

But just two weeks after he was freed on bail, Ticehurst was dead.

The horrifying crime led to new laws being passed in the NSW Parliament requiring those accused of serious domestic violence charges to wear electronic monitoring bracelets if they’re released on bail.

If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual assault, domestic or family violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit 1800RESPECT.org.au.

In an emergency, call 000.

Advice and counselling for men concerned about their use of family violence: Men’s Referral Service, 1300 766 491.