Broome man accused of restraining three children with cable ties pleads not guilty to assault charges
/ By Mya KordicA West Australian man accused of cable tying the hands of three children, after he found them swimming in a pool at a vacant Kimberley property, has pleaded not guilty to three counts of assault.
Matej Radelic, 45, faced the Broome Magistrates Court on Monday for his second hearing, facing three counts of aggravated common assault.
Mr Radelic acknowledged he understood each of the charges and pleaded not guilty to the three counts.
The court heard the circumstance of aggravation in the alleged offence "was in the presence of a child".
Police have previously stated they attended the home in the Broome suburb of Cable Beach on the afternoon of March 5 after receiving a call about children swimming in the backyard of a vacant property.
The incident gained national attention after a video appearing to show two children being restrained and crying, with their wrists tied, was streamed live on social media.
Officers have previously alleged that after arriving they found a six-year-old girl and a seven-year-old boy linked together at their wrists by black cable ties.
Police say an eight-year-old boy was also restrained, but left the scene before officers arrived.
Trial hearing in September
Mr Radelic's first hearing on March 25 was adjourned for legal advice.
His defence lawyer Julia Barber on Monday told the court she would ask for "full disclosure" from the prosecution and suggested a September trial date for her client.
Magistrate Deen Potter granted Mr Radelic bail on the same terms as his first hearing, extended to the date of his trial hearing.
Mr Radelic is due to reappear in court again on September 12.