Court briefs from July 22

Still no plea

Iorama Ngataua charged with joint burglary appeared in the High Court in Avarua.

Ngataua’s lawyer, Mark Short told the court he still had not sat down with his client, so asked for the matter to be adjourned.

The matter had been adjourned several times before. Short told Justice of the Peace, Bernice Manarangi he hoped he would be in a position to make a plea.

Short said the problem was his client hadn’t visited him to discuss the matter.

“If he doesn’t come and see me, I might have to withdraw from the matter, I can’t hold the court at ransom,” Short said.

Ngataua will next appear in the High Court in September.

Community service breach

Tuterangi Atera is in court for failing to attend community service.  The High Court in Avarua heard the incident happened on July 10.

Atera represented himself in court and made no plea. He asked for the matter to be adjourned to give him time to see a lawyer.

Justice of the Peace Bernice Manarangi adjourned the matter for August 26.

Justice Manarangi said she was not willing to adjourn the matter again.

Guilty for assault

In High Court in Avarua a week ago, Semesa Nalalakiwai entered a guilty plea of assault on a female.

Nalalakiwai pleaded guilty through his lawyer, Keykore Ahsin.

Ahsin presented the court with a letter that showed his client completed counselling.

Nalalakiwai will appear on August 24 for sentencing in the High Court.