A Perth adult entertainer who was arrested in Perth’s CBD after concerned workers noticed an armed man outside a jewellery shop has gone on trial fighting allegations he was causing fear.
Nearly a dozen police officers swarmed King Street on May 7, 2022, and dragged Chad Satchell, 32, out of his vehicle, handcuffing him immediately following several triple-zero calls.
The adult entertainer being arrested. Credit: 9 News Perth
In police body-worn footage, tendered on Tuesday during his Perth Magistrates Court trial, the stripper can be seen throwing his hands in the air and saying, “It’s fine, it’s fine, it’s fine”.
“I’m an adult entertainer, it’s fine, stop, stop, stop,” he said.
“You can call my client right now, this is ridiculous hey, it’s fake, it’s fake, it looks like a real one, but it’s fake.
“You guys have made a mistake, hey.”
Satchell was wearing a fake SWAT vest with “The Chad” written on the front, along with a red basketball singlet, back pants, black boots, a cap and a bandanna.
Witnesses called triple-zero after seeing him changing into the outfit on the street, and getting the replica gun out of his boot.
Satchell was questioned and attempted repeatedly to reassure police he was not in possession of a real weapon, and was late to join a party bus for a last-minute job he had booked.
“I can see what your concern is … it’s like a, what are they called, a gel gun, I use it for shows,” he said.
The stripper was dressed in ‘SWAT’ clothing and in possession of an assault rifle and ballistic vest when he was arrested in Perth.Credit: WA Police
He went on to explain he had many themed outfits for his job, with one of the attending officers remarking: “Maybe this is one after today you maybe put on the shelf, probably ones that don’t feature a replica assault rifle will do the trick.”
Gel blasters, which look similar to assault rifles and shoot water pellets, are illegal in Western Australia.
Following his arrest, Satchell was charged with being in possession of a prohibited weapon and being armed in a way that may cause fear.
His lawyer, however, argued the replica weapon was not a gel blaster and questioned how the item was stored by police after it was seized.
“We will be inviting you to conclude the prosecution has not proved beyond a reasonable doubt that the item was a gel blaster,” she said.
Perth adult entertainer Chad Satchell at court on Tuesday, May 30.Credit: Nine News Perth
The trial continues.