More than two years since he was charged with a cyber-crime amidst accusations of him being the foul-mouthed “Mudwata” cartoon character on youtube, local video producer and award-winning photographer Keron Bruce is still to have his name cleared.
Bruce was back at the Diamond Magistrates’ Court this morning with the hope of hearing a decision handed down in the matter. However, he was informed by the presiding Magistrate, Sunil Scarce, that he will have to return to Court at a later date, a written ruling in the matter had not yet been completed.
The businessman said it is frustrating, because over the past two years, he has had to put much of his business on pause, and the ongoing Court case has not only affected his business, but has also affected his personal life and the lives of his family.
Bruce was charged in April 2022 for allegedly using a computer system to subject another person to public ridicule, contempt, hatred or embarrassment.
The charge was filed following investigations into a complaint by local reporter Leroy Smith about an online cartoon character show that goes under the name “Mudwata”.
Bruce has denied being that character, and has explained that the entire Prosecution’s case was based on a statement from the Guyanese Critic, Mikhil Rodrigues, who he said inserted himself in the matter.
“The only reason I was even charged is because the Guyanese Critic lied on me, and said I told him that I was Mudwata. Mr. Smith, who is the virtual complainant in the matter, he never mentioned me in his complaint and so I believe it was based on Guyanese Critics’ false testimony that caused the charge to come on me in the first place. I can’t make any plans with these Court dates”, Bruce complained.
The businessman said he is not only frustrated with the many delays he has been facing, but now it is also worrying and concerning.
“The dates are continuing to protract over and over. I was suppose to get a ruling from since the third of this month, and I appeared two times after that. This is the second time after that, and there is a postponement again”, he explained.
He said while he could appreciate the Magistrate wanting to complete a written ruling, the process has taken too long, and that is surprising since it was a case with one civilian witness.
Bruce is hoping that when he appears again in Court, his matter will be brought to an end.
The “Mudwata” character on social media, that Bruce has been accused of being behind, has been releasing satirical videos for a number of years, targeting local politicians and other public officials and persons in public life.
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