A father who discovered a convicted rapist emerging from his daughter's bedroom has recalled the horrific night that altered his life a decade ago — after being wrongly prosecuted formurder.
Ben Batterham was marking his 33rd birthday at his Hamilton,Australia, home with a friend on March 26, 2016, when a burglar broke into his property. His fiancée, Monique Cameron, and their seven-month-old daughter were staying next door at Ben's parents' house for the night.
As Ben and his mate were preparing to retire for the evening, a man named Ricky Slater entered the home. Slater was under the influence of drugs, carrying three knives, and had a prior rape conviction from his youth, along with other criminal offences.
The offender, who had been freed from prison just three months prior, headed straight for Ben's daughter's nursery where he seized Monique's handbag. When challenged, however, he fled.
Describing the moment he came face to face with the intruder, Ben, who was working as an apprentice chef at the time, said: "Very big bloke. Standing there. It was more than a shock. I was quite fearful for my daughter, and Monique, and at the time myself."
When60 Minutes Australiaasked whether his mind was "exploding" after witnessing the man come out of his daughter's room, he responded: "It was. It was doing backflips. I remember saying 'hey' and I've jumped up and started to chase him."
Ben pursued him through multiple streets and even contacted the police before ultimately bringing him down in an attempt to make a citizen's arrest. A fierce altercation followed, and when police officers eventually arrived at the scene, he reportedly told them: "Give me two minutes with him. I'll kill the dog."
Describing the initial confrontation, he said: "A few headbuts, a few bites, he tried to snap my thumb back towards my wrist. Quite rough."
He added: "I was yelling. I did strike him a few times. I didn't have him in a chokehold."
He emphasised that he did what was necessary to restrain him until the police arrived.
Source: Daily Express :: World Feed
