A father’s attempt to protect his family ended in tragedy when he confronted an intruder in his home, leading to his wrongful prosecution for murder. On March 26, 2016, in Hamilton, New South Wales, Benjamin Batterham was celebrating his 33rd birthday with a friend when the situation escalated into a nightmare.
While Batterham’s fiancée, Monique Cameron, and their seven-month-old daughter were asleep at his parents’ house next door, a convicted rapist named Ricky Slater broke into Batterham’s home armed with three knives and under the influence of drugs. Slater, who had been released from prison only three months prior, made his way into the nursery and attempted to steal Cameron’s handbag. When confronted by Batterham, Slater fled the scene.
Batterham described the moment he encountered Slater as shocking and terrifying. “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,” he told 60 Minutes Australia. After chasing Slater through several streets and calling the police, Batterham managed to tackle him to the ground in an attempt to detain him until law enforcement arrived.
What followed was a violent struggle. Batterham recounted, “I did strike him a few times. I didn’t have him in a chokehold,” emphasizing that he acted out of necessity to protect his family. Unfortunately, when police arrived, they found Slater unresponsive due to cardiac arrest caused by a combination of high levels of methamphetamine and an existing heart condition. He died the following day.
In a shocking turn of events, Batterham was arrested and charged with murder. “I broke down and said, ‘Look, I didn’t do it,’” he reflected on that harrowing moment. After spending six weeks in custody, public outrage over his prosecution led to his release on bail, but he faced death threats and had to go into hiding.
Cameron remained supportive throughout the ordeal, bringing their daughter to visit him in prison. “No, he was in my daughter’s room. I don’t blame him for any of it,” she stated, showing unwavering faith in her partner’s actions.
The trial began in November 2019, revealing that Slater had a history of violence, including a 2007 rape conviction. Justice Fagan stated that Batterham should never have faced murder charges. “It does not appear to me that the restraint applied by Mr. Batterham was excessive,” he concluded, noting that any force used was not responsible for Slater’s death.
After being acquitted, Batterham filed a civil claim against the State of New South Wales, seeking damages for his wrongful prosecution. A settlement has been reached, although the details remain undisclosed. Despite his exoneration, Batterham has struggled with the long-term effects of the incident, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and a fractured relationship with Cameron.
Batterham reflected on the incident, stating, “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.” He expressed no regrets about his actions, emphasizing that he did what any father would do to protect his family. “No — I’ve done what any father would have done,” he concluded, underscoring the complexities of a situation that turned his life upside down.
