A father’s life dramatically altered when he discovered a convicted rapist in his daughter’s bedroom during a home invasion on March 26, 2016. Ben Batterham, who was celebrating his 33rd birthday at his home in Hamilton, Australia, faced a harrowing situation that led to his wrongful charge of murder.
On that fateful night, Batterham was at home with a friend while his fiancée, Monique Cameron, and their seven-month-old daughter stayed next door at his parents’ house. As they relaxed, a man named Ricky Slater entered their home armed with three knives and under the influence of drugs. Slater, who had a history of violent crime, including a prior rape conviction, headed directly to the nursery, grabbing Cameron’s handbag before fleeing when confronted.
Batterham described Slater as “a very big bloke” and expressed his fear for his daughter and fiancée. When asked if he was overwhelmed by the situation, he stated, “It was doing backflips.” He immediately pursued Slater through the streets, contacting law enforcement as he attempted a citizen’s arrest.
The confrontation escalated, leading to a physical altercation. Batterham recounted, “A few headbuts, a few bites, he tried to snap my thumb back towards my wrist.” He insisted his actions were merely to restrain Slater until police arrived. Unfortunately, when officers did reach the scene, Slater was unresponsive and later died from a cardiac arrest caused by a combination of high meth levels in his system and a pre-existing heart condition.
Batterham was arrested and charged with murder. Reflecting on the moment he was detained, he shared, “I broke down and said, ‘Look, I didn’t do it.'” The gravity of the situation hit him hard while he was being transported to prison, as he realized he had lost his freedom, job, and home. His fiancée visited him weekly while he was incarcerated, and public outrage over his case grew, leading to his release on bail six weeks later. Despite this, he faced threats that forced him into hiding.
During the murder trial in November 2019, it was determined that Slater’s death was not the result of Batterham’s actions but rather due to his drug use and health issues. Justice Fagan stated that Batterham should never have been charged, emphasizing that the restraint he applied was not excessive. Jurors were not informed of Slater’s prior violent crime, which significantly impacted the case.
Batterham’s acquittal marked a significant moment in his fight for justice. He has since launched a civil lawsuit against the State of New South Wales in the Supreme Court, seeking compensation for wrongful prosecution. A settlement has been reached, although the terms remain confidential.
Despite being free, Batterham continues to grapple with the repercussions of that night and the collapse of his relationship with Cameron. He described the ordeal as devastating for both himself and for Slater. Reflecting on his actions, he stated, “You could say my biggest mistake was running out the door. But was that a mistake at the time? Someone breaks into your home, that’s your castle.”
When asked whether he would have acted differently, he firmly stated, “No – I’ve done what any father would have done.”
