With his daughter's killer sentenced to 28 years' jail, Tony Ticehurst thought the drawn-out court process was over.
He hoped he could finally let his beloved daughter rest in peace, but the case could soon recommence.
Daniel Billings has filed a notice of intention to appeal his 28-year sentence, which includes a non-parole period of 20 years, for killing Ms Ticehurst in her home at Forbes in April 2024.
The sentence was handed down by Justice Natalie Adams in the Supreme Court at Orange in September, after a two-day sentencing hearing.
"Yes, he's allowed to appeal but to me, Molly's dad, it just means it just drags it out for another 12 months,"
Mr Ticehurst said.
Billings pleaded guilty to murder in November 2025, and made an admission of guilt to animal cruelty, damaging property and breaching an apprehended violence order (AVO).
Tony Ticehurst says he found out via the media about Daniel Billings' intention to appeal his murder sentence. (Australian Story: Tom Hancock)
The latter charges are not formal guilty pleas, but can be taken into account at sentencing.
The now-31-year-old had one month to lodge a notice of intention to appeal his sentence.
The Supreme Court has confirmed Billings did so on October 9.
He now has one year in which to lodge the notice of appeal.
Mr Ticehurst said he found out about Billings's potential appeal via the media on Tuesday morning.
"It is weak in this day and age that the people involved can't be advised and [we] find it out via the media"
he said.
The ABC has contacted the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) for a response.
Sentence length criticised
Late last week the ODPP decided not to appeal Billings's sentence on behalf of the prosecution.
Billings's full sentence was 35 years, but Justice Adams applied a 20 per cent discount which brought it back to 28 years.
The length of his jail time has been criticised by MPs including Premier Chris Minns.
"[This is] one of the most despicable people that we have in NSW prisons; a vicious murderer," Mr Minns told Radio 2GB.
"One of the most violent people that we've seen … he's a killer of women. I hope that he rots in jail.
"There's always the chance when you pursue an appeal that a higher court imposes a longer penalty, and I certainly hope that happens."
Phil Donato says the potential appeal will cause more stress and trauma to Molly's family and friends. (Australian Story: Tom Hancock)
Independent member for Orange Phil Donato has condemned Billings's sentence as being inadequate.
He has drafted a bill to introduce mandatory life sentences for domestic violence murders that are committed while an AVO or bail conditions are in place.
The bill is set to be formally introduced in the next few weeks.
A spokesperson for NSW Attorney-General Michael Daley has previously stated that the maximum penalty for murder in NSW is life imprisonment.
"The government has also enshrined in law a 25-year standard non-parole period for intimate partner homicides," they said.
This mandatory non-parole period is not retrospective, so does not apply to Daniel Billings's case.