A tradie in Western Australia has been arrested after allegedly tying three children up on a driveway after he caught them swimming in a client's pool.
The Broome incident, which unfolded on a Facebook livestream yesterday afternoon, saw two children restrained with zip ties around their wrists, 9News reports.
WA Police said it was called to investigate a trespass incident — instead finding a 6-year-old girl and 7-year-old boy tied up on the driveway.
A third child, an 8-year-old boy, also claimed he had been detained — running away before police arrived.
"They were frightened, they were crying, shaking and singing out for their mum," Broome local Leandra McKenzie told 9News.
She said the tradesman had been called to a job on the street and found the children swimming in his client's pool.
She said the incident lasted for more than an hour.
"We were yelling at him to tell them to release them, but he just wouldn't give up," she said.
Paramedics were soon called to the scene, reuniting the children with their family.
A man was taken into custody and charged with three counts of aggravated assault. He was granted bail and will appear in court at a later date.
Police said the "force used to restrain the children was not proportionate in the circumstances".
A statement read: "Police continue to work closely with the affected families and acknowledge the challenging circumstances surrounding this incident.
"Community members are encouraged to allow the court process to run its course."
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