Bruce fined $3M for cyber-crime; as Court declares him ‘Mudwata’ character

The Diamond/Golden Grove Magistrates’ Court on Friday declared photographer Keron Bruce as the individual behind the controversial social media persona “Mudwata.” Magistrate Sunil Scarce, has since ordered Bruce to pay a fine of $3M within one month or face a six-month prison sentence.
Bruce, a resident of Soesdyke Back Road, East Bank Demerara, was charged in 2022 for using a computer system to embarrass and humiliate local journalist Leroy Smith, the proprietor of Big Smith News Watch.
The charge stems from an incident on January 25, 2021, where Bruce, said to be using the “Mudwata” character, allegedly disseminated false information about Smith, subjecting him to public ridicule, contempt, and embarrassment.
Smith, who reported the matter to the police three years ago, claimed that the actions of the “Mudwata” character defamed him, in violation of Guyana’s Cyber Crime Laws.
Bruce, who pleaded not guilty to the charge, had requested a six-month period to pay the fine, but the court denied his request. He now has one month to pay the $3M fine or serve the alternative sentence of six months in prison. Bruce was however initially released on $100,000 bail pending the outcome of the trial.