Daniel Billings, 31, will spend at least 20 years behind bars for the murder of Molly Ticehurst, his ex-girlfriend who was a childcare educator and young mother from Forbes, in central western NSW.
Billings was out on bail when he smashed through her bedroom window and stabbed her 15 times with a hunting knife just before midnight on April 21, 2024.
Justice Natalie Adams sentenced Billings to a maximum term of 28 years in the NSW Supreme Court on Friday, finding he acted out of revenge after she reported allegations of sexual assault to police.
Premier Chris Minns said the sentence was inadequate.
"The judge made the decision and I just feel terrible for the family, who are decent hard-working people who have lost their daughter at the hands of a complete bastard," he told reporters in Sydney on Wednesday.
"It's a vicious, horrible crime. I would have loved to see the (sentence) far, far longer."
AAP has asked the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions whether it intends to lodge a sentence appeal.
Billings pleaded guilty to murder in November 2025, after more than 500 days of legal negotiations.
The admission was considered an early plea under NSW legislation, entitling him to a 25 per cent discount on the sentence.
The Crown urged Justice Adams to dispense with that discount, arguing Billings' level of culpability was "extreme".
However, the judge noted there were several positive findings for Billings, including age, clean criminal record and rehabilitation chances.
She instead granted a discount of 20 per cent, reducing the maximum sentence from 35 years.
After the sentencing, Orange MP Philip Donato said Billings should not have been given a discount.
"What does this say to the community and the people of NSW? This was the most serious of domestic violence offences," he said.
Billings' long pattern of abuse was laid bare during earlier court hearings.
His texts and calls to Ms Ticehurst swung wildly from affectionate requests for cuddles to threats to kill her.
When Ms Ticehurst broke off their relationship in mid-2023, Billings killed her dachshund puppy with a hammer and later smashed her car window.
She reported his threats and abuse to police, leading to a string of domestic violence charges, including several counts of sexual assault.
Billings spent one night in police custody before he was freed on bail by a local court registrar.
He then spiralled into a violent rage about being accused of rape, asking friends to stake out her house and buying the knife.
1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732)
Lifeline 13 11 14
Men's Referral Service 1300 766 491
1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732)
National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service 1800 211 028
13°C