Salt Creek kidnapper Roman Heinze savages his victims and police in courtroom tirade

The Salt Creek backpacker kidnapper has spoken about the case for the first time – by savaging his victims and former lawyer in an extraordinary courtroom tirade.

The Salt Creek backpacker kidnapper has gone on an extraordinary courtroom rant, calling his victims “liars” who “played dumb” at trial and condemning his lawyers for “letting everything slide through”.

Roman Heinze, who opted not to give evidence in his 2017 trial, went on a tirade in the Supreme Court on Wednesday during a hearing about the 4WD used in his crimes.

Heinze has, since 2019, fought to stop SA Police destroying the vehicle with which he kidnapped and assaulted two foreign backpackers, insisting it can prove his innocence.

Chief Justice Chris Kourakis, who will determine the vehicle’s fate, asked Heinze if he was prepared to share his account of what happened on the remote beach in 2016.

Heinze responded with a tirade in which he criticised his German victim, “Lena” – who, jurors found, he repeatedly ran down with the vehicle – and barrister, Bill Boucaut KC.

Salt Creek backpacker kidnapper Roman Heinze.

Bill Boucaut KC. Picture: David Mariuz

“There’s no account to tell, Your Honour, because I never drove over her – she’s lying,” he said.

“The charge of endangering life, the claims that I drove over her, they are totally false, it never happened.

“(Lena) was asked about it in court and she just played dumb … Boucaut never pushed it, he let everything slide through.

“The vehicle will prove that (her claims) are impossible.”

Heinze, 68, is serving a minimum 17-year prison term for kidnapping and assaulting Lena and her Brazilian friend, “Beatriz”, at Salt Creek in February 2016.

Mr Boucaut’s representation saw him acquitted of another charge – namely attempted murder.

Heinze’s victims, known as “Lena” (left) and “Beatriz”, right. Picture: 60 Minutes.

He is embroiled in a number of lawsuits with family members, and was recently caught sending threatening letters to his estranged daughter, Kendehl.

Heinze has also managed to repeatedly postpone the destruction of the 4WD, insisting it be photographed and analysed to his specifications so he can use it in an appeal.

In August 2023, the Adelaide Magistrates Court permitted police to dispose of it – Heinze then challenged that decision in the Supreme Court.

On Wednesday, Heinze said analysis of the vehicle would “prove” its undercarriage was too low for the German woman to fit under, “disproving” her claims of being run over.

Heinze’s 4WD. Picture: Supreme Court registry

“She also claimed she jumped toward the car, when it was moving at speed, and climbed on to the bonnet using the aerial to steady herself,” he said.

“There was never any blood or anything on the aerial – it’s just impossible for her to have held on to it – so it needs to be swabbed and have forensics done to it.”

Chief Justice Kourakis suggested the best course was for police to forensically photograph and examine the aerial and provide the results to Heinze, then destroy the car.

“It’s a lot easier to keep a photograph and a swab than a whole car,” he said.

Prosecutors asked for two weeks to consult with police, and Chief Justice Kourakis agreed – as did Heinze.

“This could have been done back in 2018 or 2019 but they (police) flatly refused,” he said.

“Once it’s done they can burn it (the car), they can do whatever they want.”