‘Fake kidnapping’ accused Paul Iera rearrested on fresh charges after police raid Wollongong home

Paul Iera was charged and released on bail last month after allegedly faking his own kidnapping on New Year’s Eve so he could spend the night with his mistress. A month later, he’s been hauled back before a court on fresh charges.

Horsley tiler Paul Iera has fronted court again on gun charges, less than a month after being bailed on false kidnapping allegations. Picture: Facebook

An unfaithful Illawarra tradie released on bail amid allegations he faked his own kidnapping so he could spend New Year’s Eve with his mistress has been rearrested on firearm offences.

Police allege Paul Iera, 35, sent them on a $27,000 goose chase after he sent text messages to his partner claiming he’d been kidnapped by “unknown Middle Eastern males”, when in reality he was with a sex worker in a Dombarton granny flat.

Iera’s partner reported the incident to police, who launched an immediate response involving the force’s robbery and serious crime squad.

Detectives began canvassing the area for CCTV and speaking to witnesses, with officers eventually intercepting Iera’s van near Dapto at 10.30am the next day.

Believing Iera was being held hostage inside, police carried out a “high-risk vehicle stop” but soon discovered only Iera in the van.

Police arrest Paul Iera on Thursday, January 13. Picture: NSW Police

Iera allegedly continued to peddle the kidnapping story when spoken to by police, however documents tendered to Wollongong Local Court said prosecutors will allege detectives later established that Iera’s story was fake, with CCTV footage showing he had been with his mistress for most of the evening.

Iera was arrested on January 12 and charged with making false representations resulting in a police investigation and making false accusations.

He was remanded in custody overnight and faced court the following day, where he was granted strict conditional bail.

Iera was granted conditional bail. Picture: Facebook

But The Daily Telegraph can reveal Iera was hit with fresh charges this week after police raided his Horsley home on Tuesday and allegedly discovered ammunition, a taser and a gel blaster gun in the shape of a Glock pistol at his home.

Court documents said officers arrived at Iera’s home in Acland Drive about 10am and served him with individual weapons and firearms prohibition orders.

As part of the order, police searched his home, where they uncovered the gel blaster pistol and a box of ammunition concealed inside a built-in wardrobe in one of the bedrooms.

The taser was discovered in a chest of drawers that also contained personal documents in Iera’s name.

Meanwhile, Iera left the premises during the search, but handed himself into Wollongong Police Station on Wednesday morning, where he was charged with seven weapon-related offences.

In court later that day, defence solicitor James Howell sought bail on Iera’s behalf, saying he would agree to strict conditions including daily reporting to police.

Magistrate Gabriel Fleming granted the application, despite noting Iera had a “relatively lengthy” criminal record.

As part of his bail, Iera must participate in drug and alcohol counselling.

The case was adjourned to March 21.