BY ROMINAH FAKA
The Magistrate court has sentenced Junior Harry Gereniu to one month imprisonment for spreading false rumours contrary to section 63 (a) of the Penal Code.
The sentence was delivered yesterday by Principal Magistrate Ishmael Kekou.
In delivering sentence court highlighted the aggravating factors. There was general panic among public, especially parents and guardians of the children who reside in Honiara. Work was missed just to attend to their children at school or at home. So, for a moment a lot of work for family welfare was just forgone to attend to ensuring the safety of children. All these was just for the lie that Gereniu had actively contributed to spread.
Further to that, Honiara City Council responded by prohibiting public vehicles from dark window tints. In effect, public transport owners were denied from protecting the vehicles windows with dark tints. This has caused so much trouble with protection of clients from the direct heat of sun with the tints and privacy from public view.
Another aggravating factor, the act was carefully planned and executed. It was live record of Gereniu recounting of the alleged attempt of abduction. The story, in order to appear real, must be carefully constructed, planned and rehearsed. Not only that, the story when posted in Facebook exacerbated the lie as it spreads further.
For the mitigating factors, Gereniu guilty plea saved the court further expenses, time and effort, his remorse shows that he has regretted and possibly reflect that he has learnt from his mistake and become reformed to become a better citizen.
He is a young man who is 24 years old. Though his reason for his post was to send message to his adoptive parents overseas to get their attention. As he claimed to have been missing them of their attention and needed help. However, must be mindful of those other young people who have struggle in life without their parents but have not resorted so such unlawful acts.
Further to that he has no previous convictions, his cooperation with the police during the investigation and admitted his wrongdoing.
Court delivers that deterrence is a must for accused and for other like-minded persons. Thus, a custodial sentence is suitable.
Court therefore, imposed a starting point of 4 months imprisonment is appropriate. The aggravating factors make up to 2 months to be added.
The mitigating factors are very strong and so, it will account to 5 months deduction. Therefore, the final sentence is one month’s imprisonment.
Gereniu pleaded guilty to one count of spreading rumours contrary to section 63 (a) of the Penal Code.
Agreed facts stated, during the month of October 2024, there were rumours going around in Honiara that caused alarm to people living in Honiara, that there were some unknown men going around in dark tinted vehicles with no registration licenses number plate to kidnap people for organ harvesting.
On October 19, 2024, around 9.15 pm Gereniu went live on Facebook, alleging that a white Toyota Rav 4 without registration licenses number plate attempted to abduct him using a hook to steal a basket containing his visa and passport at Kola Ridge Cemetery Road heading up at Talise Market.
Gereniu live posted on Facebook caused a lot of fear to viewers for their safety to move around in town freely.
Police Prosecutor Florence Hirosshachi for the crown and Ms Pitamama for Gereniu.
