CNN —An Australian man who faked his own kidnapping to spend time with his mistress on New Year’s Eve has been ordered to pay back the cost of the police operation to find him.
Paul Iera appeared at Wollongong Local Court in New South Wales on Tuesday and was told he’d have to pay the state government around $10,000 for 200 hours worth of police work after his partner reported him missing.
The 35-year-old tradesman went to meet his mistress on December 31, but lied to his partner about meeting with his “financial guy,” CNN affiliate 9 News reported.
Iera’s worried partner reported the matter to the police minutes before midnight, prompting officers to investigate, 9 news reported.
Iera’s lawyer Abbas Soukie issued a statement on his behalf, saying that his client was “pleased to have avoided” a jail sentence.
Persons:
Paul Iera, he’d, Paul, Iera’s, Iera, Michael Ong, Ong, Abbas Soukie, Mr Iera, “ Mr Iera, ”
Organizations:
CNN, Wollongong Local
Locations:
Australian, Wollongong, New South Wales