THE young man who allegedly spread false rumours over an alleged attempted abduction on social media in October this year will be entering his plea to the charge of Spreading False Information when he returns to court.
This was because Junior Harry Gereniu has just been allocated a lawyer from the Public Solicitor’s Office (PSO).
The court heard that Sylvia Pitamama from the PSO is representing him.
Ms Pitamama is seeking time to obtain instructions from Gereniu for plea.
The prosecution alleged Gereniu spread false rumours of an attempted abduction that shocked and caused fear to Honiara residents.
Gereniu claimed on a video posted on Facebook that men in a Toyota RAV4 attempted to abduct him and used a ‘hook’ to remove his belongings at the Kola Ridge cemetery.
Police alleged that on 19 October at around 9.15pm, a live stream video was posted on facebook about the alleged abduction.
The defendant alleged that a white Toyota Rav4, which had no plate number, attempted to abduct him, with men inside using a hook to steal his bag containing a passport and visa.
The Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) investigated the alleged abduction on 25 October, after rumours of it caused the panic in public and resulted in the temporary closure of schools.
Police said the defendant later admitted to fabricating the story based on exaggerated remorse.
Police Prosecutor Abel Maelanga is prosecuting the case on behalf of the Crown.
By ASSUMPTA BUCHANAN
Solomon Star, Honiara
