By Heather McNeill and Brittany Hoskins
A Broome man who allegedly captured and restrained three young children found swimming in the backyard pool of a vacant property on Tuesday has been charged with assault.
The children, aged six, seven and eight, had their hands cable-tied together and were filmed sobbing while sitting on the ground leaning against a garage door as Mat Radelic, 45, stood beside them.
Distressed passersby live-streamed the incident from over a fence as they pleaded with Radelic to release the children.
“They were frightened ... they were crying, shaking and singing out for their mum,” Leandra McKenzie told 9News Perth.
“It would have been over an hour it was ... we were yelling at him to tell him to release them ... but he just wouldn’t give up.”
Radelic told 9 News Perth he regretted his actions and said they were not racially motivated.
“It didn’t come from a place of hate or nothing, just disappointment and a bit of anger,” he said.
WA Police Regional Commander Rod Wilde told 6PR police received a call from a neighbour about children swimming in the pool of a vacant property at 1.35pm.
“About 10 minutes later, the [accused] phoned the police to say he had apprehended three children that were in the backyard, and allegedly they had caused some damage in the backyard,” he said.
“It was alleged there was some damage to some Colorbond sheeting and brick pavers.”
By the time police arrived, the eight-year-old boy had freed himself from the cable ties and left the scene. The two other children were assessed by paramedics and released to their families.
Radelic was taken into custody and has since been charged with three counts of aggravated assault.
The children were allegedly tied up in the Broome backyard. Credit: 9News Perth
Wilde said he recognised the community in Broome may be frustrated by an increase in juvenile crime in the coastal town, but urged people to not take matters into their own hands.
“There are powers of citizen arrest, but it comes down to what is reasonable and proportionate in the circumstances … restraining three children with cable ties, aged six, seven and eight, is not proportionate in the circumstances, it will be alleged,” he said.
“It’s a very fine law, you could find yourself in trouble if you overstep.
“If you’re confronted with a situation, call police, police will be there and they will deal with it.”
Wilde said police were engaging with the family about the court process and parental responsibility.
“Know where your kids are and what they’re up to, whether they should be at school depending on the time and circumstances – certainly there is parental responsibility, we’re not shying away from that,” he said.
WA Premier Roger Cook said he didn’t think it was appropriate to act aggressively towards small children.
“Anyone that saw that video would have found it confronting, would have found it concerning, and I understand it raises very strong emotions in everyone in the community, but I urge everyone, let the police get on and do their job, let the justice process take place,” he said.
Police have called for calm in the community, with additional street patrols scheduled for Wednesday.
Radelic was granted bail and is due to appear in court at a later date.
The maximum penalty for aggravated assault is three years imprisonment and a fine of $36,000.
with 9News Perth
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