BY ROMINAH FAKA

The case of a man facing multiple charges returns today [Monday, March 24] at the Magistrate court for the defendant to give his plea.

Darwin Kopana is charged with two counts of obtaining credit by false pretence, two counts of false pretence, one count of driving to be licensed and one count of malicious injuries.

The first incident occurred on November 9, 2024 – the defendant met one woman and introduced himself as Derick. He told the woman that he was looking for a place to rent. The woman introduced Kopana to the complainant, a 60-year-old woman who had a space for rent at Tandai Heights.

She explained to the defendant that she only rented out rooms. The defendant agreed and re-quested to rent two rooms cost of $5,000 per month. The defendant immediately moved in the same day however, he promised the complainant he will pay his first rent the next day since he had no money with him.

Later that day, defendant asked the complainant $200 and he told the complainant he will pay her back the next day. He said he wanted to pay for his food. The complainant gave the defend-ant the money since the defendant insisted and that she thought the defendant was honest.

Next day, the defendant again asked the complainant to borrow another $200 which the complainant gave to him, and another $100 from the complainant’s sister-in-law.

The defendant further asked the complainant’s mobile phone and she gave her Samsung A31 and told her sister-in-law to accompany the defendant to the hospital.

However, at the bus-stop the defendant escaped from the complainant’s sister-in-law.

The complainant reported the matter to the White River Police on December 15, 2024, and the defendant was arrested and charged with obtaining credit by false pretence contrary to section 309 (a) and false pretence contrary to section 308 (a). During his record of interview, the defendant admitted to the police the allegation made against him was true.

The second incident involved a different complainant. Police alleged on January 17, 2025 the second complainant advertised his Land Cruiser Prad, MC 1901 on Buy And Sell page on Facebook. Later the complainant received a message from the defendant on Facebook with the name Peter John who showed interest in his vehicle. They chat and agreed to meet.

On January 19 the complainant met with the defendant at the Samlimsan office and there they drove down to White River so that the defendant could inspect the advertised vehicle.

Kopana informed the second complainant that he had just come back from Choiseul province to collect royalty of $165,000 and that he was interested in the vehicle.

When they arrived at Valbros area the defendant asked the complainant to use the vehicle to do some of his paper work for the royalty payment.

The complainant allowed Kopana to temporarily use the vehicle that day.

Later that day Kopana called the complainant and informed him that the vehicle had a break issue and that he had almost had an accident.

The complainant insisted that he returned the vehicle however Kopana told the complainant to trust him and that he had parked the vehicle at Company area at Capital Park.

Kopana told the complainant that the royalty payment was slow and that he would have to pay him the next day.

January 21 Kopana called the complainant and informed him that the royalty was delayed.

The complainant then drove to Capital Park to check the vehicle but did not see it.

January 22 Kopana called the complainant and informed him to wait for him at Mendana Hotel.

Complainant waited there for hours but Kopana did not show up.

Later that day the complainant found out that his vehicle had been involved in an accident at the Cross Road area, east Honiara.

The complainant went and reported the matter to White River Police on January 26.

Following the report, police arrested the defendant and remanded him.

Office of Public Prosecution is prosecuting and PSO acts for defence.

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