Keron Bruce found guilty of cyberbullying using “Mudwata” character

Photographer Keron Bruce was on Friday found guilty by Magistrate Sunil Scarce of a cybercrime offence for which he disguised himself as the social media cartoon character “Mudwata” to slander and offend journalist Leroy Smith.
As such, he was fined $3 million when he appeared at the Grove/Diamond Magistrate’s Court where the trial was held. Guyana Times understands that Bruce has one month to pay the fine or face an alternative of six months imprisonment.
Bruce, 35, a father of two and resident of 295 Soesdyke Back Road, East Bank Demerara (EBD), is on trial before Diamond/Golden Grove Magistrate Sunil Scarce on the accusation of being the person behind the social media cartoon character “Mudwata”, who, according to the Police, has made slanderous publications about several persons, contrary to the Cybercrime Act.

It is alleged that on January 25, 2021, at Soesdyke, EBD, Bruce used a computer to disseminate information about Smith, knowing same to be false. Police are alleging that the information subjected Smith to public ridicule, contempt, hatred, and embarrassment.
The charge was filed earlier this year, and Bruce, being represented by Attorney-at-Law Bernard Da Silva, was released on $100,000 bail.
It was reported that in January of 2022, Police arrested Bruce and several other persons on allegations of the cartoon character slandering persons. Police Headquarters has said ranks have seized several pieces of equipment from a house at DD Eccles, EBD. And several voice messages were also collected, which, when analysed, matched with the “Mudwata” commentary, the Police Headquarters have said.
The arrest of Keron Bruce came days after Smith, owner and managing editor of the online media outlet BIG SMITH News Watch, had offered a $1 million reward for reliable information that would lead to the proper identification of the cartoon character. Smith had made this offer after a video aggressively attacking him was posted by “Mudwata” on Facebook and YouTube.
After Bruce’s arrest, Smith said, several persons had come forward with information about the cartoon character. As such, a court order was issued to search Bruce’s house for any evidence that would pin him to the character.
The Police are obliged under the provisions of the Cyber Crime Act 2018 to investigate any report made concerning cyberbullying.