On new years eve, 31 December 2022, our client told his partner that he was “going to meet his finance guy” at Dapto.

The same night, his partner received two messages on her phone, from our client’s mobile. The messages read, “Lisa, it’s Ghia thank you for sending Paul to me now payback is a bitch bye bye,” and, “but I’m going to be fare ok we will keep him with us until the morning wen he gives us his bike we call it square no one’s touching him my word I’ll give u hun ok”.

Our client’s partner called the police and an official search commenced. When the police later found our client in a white van, our client informed the police he had been kidnapped by unknown males.

However, our client eventually agreed that what he had told police was false and that he was actually at the home of another woman he was romantically involved with.

In January 2023, after the police investigation, our client was charged with:

– Make false accusation with intent subject other to investigation, pursuant to section 314 of the Crimes Act 1900.

– Falsely represent to police act or event calling for investigation, contrary to section 547B(1) of the Crimes Act 1900.

In September 2023, Hanna Legal represented our client at Wollongong Local Court where he pleaded guilty to the offences.

After hearing submissions, His Honour Magistrate Ong sentenced our client to a community corrections order, and required him to repay the NSW Police Force for the expense of the investigation.

For more information, see: Man who faked own kidnapping to see mistress ordered to pay back police resources;

Paul Iera: Wollongong tradie fakes his own kidnapping to hide affair with another woman from his partner – before it all went disastrously wrong;

Tradie who faked kidnapping to repay police after widespread search;

Man narrowly avoids jail after faking his own kidnapping to hide the fact he cheated on his girlfriend

Photo Credit: 9 News.