A triple zero call made by a Western Australian tradesperson moments after he cable-tied three trespassing children together has been played in court.
Matej Radelic is fighting three counts of aggravated common assault over the March incident, which made headlines after a passerby live-streamed it.
Radelic’s lawyer today said the 46-year-old’s home in Broome was on the market and it had been broken into four times in a month when he made the citizens’ arrest of the three children.
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Audio from the triple zero call the 46-year-old made after tying up the children was played in a trial in the Broome Magistrates Court.
Radelic: “I caught three kids. I got them tied up. So I need someone to attend to take the kids away from me.”
Triple zero operator: “So where are you holding the kids at the moment?”
Radelic: “They’re tied up in the carport area.”
Operator: “They’re tied up with rope are they?”
Radelic: “Cable ties.”
Operator: “With cable ties, OK. They’re not injured or anything at all?”
Radelic: “Nah, they’re just scared and crying.”
Operator: “Yeah no wonder.”
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Police officers took more than 30 minutes to arrive at the property.
Police body camera footage also played to the court shows Radelic telling officers he was “beyond frustration” because “every time this happens there is no consequences for anyone”.
“I already spent over $10,000 fixing all the windows, it’s been smashed up three times,” he says, on the video.
“This pool totally damaged, all smashed up, all the bricks were inside.
“I can’t sell the place. I mean, I was supposed to sign the contract today.
“I mean, how many times this place needs to be trashed?”
READ MORE: Citizens’ arrest caught on CCTV after man tries to escape, falls into pool
The police prosecutor is not disputing a citizens’ arrest was made, instead arguing the force used wasn’t necessary or reasonable.
He claimed the children weren’t posing a risk to Radelic and the situation could have been handled in other ways.
Radelic’s lawyer argued his client was a victim of crime.
“It’s not about race or vigilantism, it’s a property owner who ticked every single box in terms of a citizens arrest,” the lawyer said.
He claimed the restraints weren’t too tight and Radelic took the children to the shade.
“Should I use physical force?” Radelic asks the officers in the body camera footage.
“That’s my logical thing is just to, you know, zip-tie them and sit them down and wait for you guys.
“I mean, you took a bit of time to come here.”
Police prosecutors did not deny it was a lawful arrest, instead arguing the force used was unnecessary.
They claimed it could have been dealt with differently, labelling Radelic’s actions “dehumanising”.
Radelic will have to wait to learn his fate as the magistrate considers his decision.
He is due back in court next month.
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