South Australian police have charged a man with making a false report after alleging that his daughter had bitten into a strawberry that contained a needle.
Photo: PIXABAY / Creative Commons
The man from Paradise - in Adelaide's north-east - was charged with making a false report to police, as well as falsely claiming goods had been contaminated.
In his statement he alleged that a week earlier his daughter had bitten into a strawberry contaminated with a needle.
It was alleged that the strawberries had been purchased from a metropolitan supermarket.
Following an investigation by detectives the 34-year-old was arrested.
He was bailed to appear in the Adelaide Magistrates Court on 24 October.
South Australian police also used the opportunity to advise the public of the serious penalties that apply to anyone who makes a false claim, particularly in relation to fruit contamination.
South Australian police were earlier this week investigating two claims of contaminated strawberries in Adelaide.
A report was made to police last Sunday after a seven-year-old girl allegedly bit into a strawberry containing a needle, the punnet was purchased from an Adelaide Hills supermarket last Saturday.
It was then alleged that a metal object was found embedded in a strawberry purchased from the Adelaide Fresh Fruiterers shop at Main South Road, Morphett Vale on Monday.
Photo: Facebook / Angela Stevenson
Both contaminated strawberries were allegedly found in a punnet of Mal's Black Label strawberries, grown in WA.
Earlier this week, Detective Inspector Billy Thompson warned of the potential for false reports, as well as the work of a "copy cat" following initial reports of the scare around Australia.
"I also might add that some people may think that it's to take advantage of this situation and make a false report in relation to these matters, again we strongly advise against that," he said.
"If you do come across a needle in strawberries, definitely report it to police… and we will investigate it fully."
Prime Minister Scott Morrison also announced this week that new laws would be introduced so people who were contaminating strawberries would face more jail time.
Mr Morrison said new laws were needed urgently to dissuade any copycat offenders, including increasing the maximum jail time for contaminating food from 10, to 15 years.
The Morrison Government will also introduce a new offence of recklessly contaminating fruit, which will carry a similar jail time.
- ABC
