A Broome tradie has been convicted of two counts of assault for cable-tying young children who were trespassing at his house.
Matej Radelic was issued a suspended fine of $2000, a penalty he will not have to pay provided he does not commit another offence for 12 months.
In March, the 46-year-old Broome man restrained a six-year-old girl and seven-year-old boy who had broken into his home and were found swimming in his pool.
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A third child was also cable-tied but managed to escape and alert their family.
The 46-year-old’s home, which was on the market for sale, had been broken into several times and trashed.
He originally faced charges in relation to all three children.
Today, a magistrate convicted him of two counts of common aggravated assault and acquitted him of the third.
Radelic’s lawyers argued it was a lawful citizen arrest while prosecutors said he used excessive force.
Magistrate Deen Potter today said the tradie “must have looked like a giant to the children.”
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“A reasonable person would make the assessment that the continued use of cable ties was not required,” Potter said.
The magistrate also said the duration of the restraint was “not entirely his fault.”
Radelic was also awarded more than $5000 in court costs for the charge he was acquitted of.
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