On the night of March 26, 2016, a father in Hamilton, New South Wales, confronted an intruder in his home, an encounter that would lead to a series of life-altering events. Benjamin Batterham was celebrating his 33rd birthday with a friend when the celebration turned into a nightmare. While his fiancée, Monique Cameron, and their seven-month-old daughter were asleep next door at his parents’ house, a man armed with knives broke into their home.
The intruder, identified as Ricky Slater, had been released from prison just three months prior. Known for a history of violent offenses, including a teenage conviction for rape, Slater was high on drugs at the time of the incident. As he made his way into the nursery to steal Monique’s handbag, he was confronted by Benjamin in a moment of sheer terror.
Describing the encounter, Benjamin recounted, “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.” Benjamin chased Slater down several streets, attempting to apprehend him while calling the police. When he managed to tackle Slater to the ground, a violent struggle ensued.
According to reports, Benjamin pleaded with the arriving officers, “Give me two minutes with him. I’ll kill the dog.” As the confrontation escalated, he described the physical altercation: “A few head butts, a few bites, he tried to snap my thumb back towards my wrist. Quite rough.” Benjamin maintained that he acted to restrain Slater until law enforcement arrived.
Tragically, when the police arrived, they discovered that Slater had become unresponsive. He suffered three cardiac arrests that ultimately led to his death the following day. In a shocking turn of events, Benjamin was arrested and charged with murder. He later stated, “I broke down and said, ‘Look, I didn’t do it.’” The gravity of the charge sank in when he found himself sitting in a police truck, realizing that his freedom had vanished.
Public outrage over his arrest grew, prompting his release on bail six weeks later. During this time, Monique brought their daughter to visit him in prison weekly. Their daughter’s first word, “dad,” carried profound emotional weight for Benjamin. Monique reflected on the situation, stating, “No, I don’t blame him for any of it… He was in my daughter’s room.”
In November 2019, during the murder trial, expert testimonies revealed that Slater’s death resulted from high levels of methamphetamine in his system combined with an existing heart condition. Benjamin was ultimately found not guilty, and the judge, Justice Fagan, asserted that he should never have faced murder charges. “It does not appear to me that the restraint applied by Mr. Batterham was excessive,” he stated.
Recently, Benjamin filed a civil claim against the State of New South Wales for wrongful prosecution. A settlement has been reached, though its details remain undisclosed. Despite this, Benjamin continues to face the repercussions of that fateful night. He revealed that the experience has left him with PTSD and strained his relationship with Monique.
Reflecting on the incident, he expressed a sense of tragedy, not only for himself but for Slater as well. “You could say my biggest mistake was running out the door. But was that a mistake at the time?” he pondered. “Someone breaks into your home, that’s your castle. People should always defend their home, no matter what.” Ultimately, he concluded, “No — I’ve done what any father would have done.”
