A man has been fined and banned from driving with another man convicted of willful damage.

Drunken dispute come at a cost

Augustino Samuele was convicted of willful damage following a late night incident in Avarua, in which he caused $638 damage to a door.

In reading the charge, Justice of the Peace John Whitta said the incident happened on November 27 and asked Samuele if he wanted to enter a plea.

Samuele entered a guilty plea.

The police prosecutor said at about 1.20am, Samuele and his partner had been involved in an altercation at a nightclub which continued in a car park.

Police stopped and spoke with the defendant who said he had punched a door several times.

He was observed to be intoxicated and admitted punching the door, saying he was angry with his partner.

An early plea was acknowledged and it was noted Samuele had previously appeared before the court on a drink driving matter.

Justice of the Peace John Whitta asked for a copy of the invoice for damage, then told the defendant that he knew the complainant, before asking the defendant if he was happy for him to continue with the matter.

Samuele agreed. He was convicted and fined $250, court costs of $50, and ordered to pay $638 in damages.

Fined, banned from driving

Duke Vakatini was out and about on his motorcycle, and over the legal driving limit on October 13 when he had a crash.

Vakatini, 17, entered a guilty plea in court when he appeared before JP John Whitta on a charge of drink driving.

The court heard a week ago, it was about 1.15am when a crash was reported. The motorcycle had no registration plates.

The defendant had been drinking at a friend’s place since 9pm the previous day and had then failed to negotiate a roundabout at Avarua.

He received lacerations to his face and was transported to hospital. A blood test showed he had a blood alcohol content of 251 mg / 100 ml. He admitted the facts.

JP Whitta convicted and fined Vakatini $500, $50 court costs, and $150 towards the blood test. Vakatini was disqualified from driving for 12 months.