THE man who spread false rumours of a kidnapping incident at the Kolaridge cemetery in Honiara last October has been sentenced to one month in prison.
Junior Harry Gereniu, 24, pleaded guilty to Spreading False rumours and was sentenced on Monday by Principal Magistrate Ishmael Kekou.
The maximum penalty for this offence is one year imprisonment.
Magistrate Kekou, when sentencing Gereniu, said the maximum penalty for the offence is one year imprisonment, but he disagreed with the prosecution and the defence counsel’s submission that the maximum penalty reflects the seriousness of the offence.
Instead, he emphasised that the consequences of the offending were serious, causing widespread panic amongst the public, especially parents and guardians of children who reside in Honiara.
“Work was missed just to attend to children at school or at home. Those who could not tolerate fear, suffered most.”
Magistrate Kekou pointed out that all these were just for the lie that the accused actively spread.
“More seriously, the public media has published that Honiara City Council (HCC) responded to prohibit public vehicles from dark window tints.
“In effect, public transport owners are denied from protecting the vehicle’s windows with dark tints,” he elaborated.
Magistrate Kekou said this has caused so much of a trouble with protection of clients from the direct heat of sun with the tints and privacy from public view.
He told Gereniu that his act was carefully planned and executed, adding it was a live record of him recounting 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 exacerbates the lie as it spreads further.”
It was heard in court that the reason for Gereniu’s post was to send a message to his adoptive parents overseas to get their attention.
Gereniu claimed to have missed their attention and also needed their help.
In light of that reason, Magistrate Kekou said he must be also mindful of other young people who have struggled in life without their parents, but have not resorted to such an unlawful act.
However, in his judgement, Magistrate Kekou took into account Gereniu’s early guilty plea, his remorse, his young age, no previous conviction record, his cooperation with the police and admission of his wrongdoing during police investigation and in court.
Gereniu, through his lawyer, also informed court that he had a tough upbringing, but Magistrate Kekou said Gereniu was adopted by his adoptive parents who are currently studying overseas and that he lives with the Melanesian Brotherhood and studied to become an Accountant.
Magistrate Kekou said Gereniu also actively involved in Church activities and was supported by Tasius and Priests, yet he claimed to have had a tough upbringing.
“I am not convinced,” he said.
Magistrate Kekou also pointed out that there was an exhibit showing evidence of Gereniu being the subject of ridicule because of his Facebook post and that he was depressed about it.
“You come to court because you posted in a forum that can be accessed by public,” he said.
Gereniu was told that he did not have any care for those who may be affected by his post and when he received ridicule by some of those who were uncaring as him, he felt depressed.
“Just as some of those in the public that are affected by your post, you tasted your own medicine,” Magistrate Kekou said.
During the month of October 2024, there were rumors circulated in Honiara, alarming residents about unknown men driving around in dark-tinted vehicles to kidnap people to get their organs.
On 19 October, Gereniu went live on Facebook alleging that a white Toyota Rav4 without a registration plate number attempted to kidnap him using a hook to steal a bag containing his visa and passport at the Kola Ridge Cemetery Road near the Talise Market.
His live post on Facebook caused a lot of safety fears amongst those who viewed it.
However, police investigations revealed that Gereniu fabricated the story.
The false information led to school closures and police intervention.
By ASSUMPTA BUCHANAN
Solomon Star, Honiara
