BY ROMINAH FAKA
The investigation into the case of a man charged with multiple counts was heard in the Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday this week.
During the hearing, the duty prosecutor informed the court that the case file was yet to be allocated to a prosecutor.
Investigation into the matter is complete, and the Crown is expected to file disclosures and serve them to the defence counsel.
Court adjourned the matter to March 17. The Crown is to prepare and serve the disclosure to the defence counsel, while the defence counsel is to obtain instructions from the defendant in preparation for arraignment on the next mention date.
Remand for the defendant was extended.
Darwin Kopana is charged with two counts of obtaining credit by false pretence, contrary to Section 309(a); two counts of false pretence, contrary to Section 308(a); one count of driving without a license, contrary to Section 20(1); and one count of malicious injury, contrary to Section 326(1) of the Penal Code (Cap 26).
The first incident allegedly occurred on the 9th of November, 2024. The defendant met a woman and introduced himself as Derick, telling her that he was looking for a place to rent. Out of kindness, the woman introduced the defendant to the complainant, a 60-year-old woman who had a rental space available at Tandai Heights.
Upon meeting the complainant, she explained that she only rented out rooms. The defendant agreed and requested to rent two rooms at a cost of $5,000 per month.
The defendant moved in that very day but promised to pay his first month’s rent the following day, claiming he had no money with him at the time.
Later that day, the defendant asked the complainant for $200, saying he needed it for food and promising to repay her the next day. Trusting him, the complainant gave him the money.
On the 10th of November, 2024, the defendant again asked the complainant to lend him another $200, which she gave him. He also borrowed an additional $100 from the complainant’s sister-in-law.
Furthermore, the defendant allegedly asked to borrow the complainant’s mobile phone, claiming he needed to send photos of his sick aunt in the hospital to his parents, who he said were working in New Zealand. The complainant handed over her Samsung A31 and instructed her sister-in-law to accompany the defendant to the hospital.
When the defendant and the complainant’s sister-in-law reached the bus stop, traffic was heavy. The defendant quickly crossed the road and shouted from the other side, saying he would wait for her at the Central Market bus stop. However, he boarded a bus and left.
When the complainant’s sister-in-law arrived at the Central Market bus stop, she could not find the defendant. Realizing she had been deceived, the complainant reported the matter to the White River Police on the 15th of December, 2024. Following the report, the defendant was arrested and charged with obtaining credit by false pretence and false pretence. During his interview with the police, the defendant admitted to the allegations against him.
The second incident involved a different complainant. Police allege that on the 17th of January, 2025, the second complainant advertised his Land Cruiser Prado, MC 1901, on a “buy and sell” Facebook page. Later, the complainant received a message from the defendant, who was using the name “Peter John,” expressing interest in the vehicle. They chatted and agreed to meet.
On the 19th of January, 2025, the complainant met with the defendant at the Samlimsan office, and they drove to White River so the defendant could inspect the advertised vehicle.
On the way, the defendant claimed he had just returned from Choiseul Province, where he had collected a royalty payment of SBD 165,000.00, and that he was interested in purchasing the vehicle.
When they arrived at the Valbros area, the defendant requested to use the vehicle to handle paperwork related to the royalty payment. He convinced the complainant, who agreed to let him temporarily use the vehicle for the day.
Later that day, the defendant called the complainant and claimed the vehicle had brake issues and that he had almost been in an accident. The complainant insisted that the vehicle be returned, but the defendant assured him that it was parked at a company area in Capital Park. The defendant then told the complainant that the royalty payment was delayed and that he would receive it the next day, on the 21st of January, 2025, at which point he would contact the complainant.
On the 21st of January, 2025, the defendant called the complainant again, informing him that the royalty payment had been further delayed. Concerned, the complainant went to Capital Park to check on the vehicle but could not find it.
On the 22nd of January, the defendant called the complainant and instructed him to wait at the Mendana Hotel. The complainant waited for hours, but the defendant never showed up. Multiple calls to the defendant went unanswered.
Later that day, the complainant discovered that his vehicle had been damaged in an accident at Cross Road.
The complainant reported the matter to the White River Police on the 26th of January, 2025. Following the report, police arrested the defendant and remanded him.
Jeremy Oiofa appeared for the prosecution, while the Public Solicitor’s Office (PSO) represented the defendant.
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