Joseph Ahiao and Matatia Tewhare both pleaded guilty to fighting in a public place in the early hours of New Year’s Day.

Justice of the Peace, Georgina Keenan-Williams adjourned the matter for six months.

Keenan-Williams let the defendants go but warned if they returned to court in the next six months for anything, the fighting in public charge would be brought back.

“Count yourselves lucky,” the JP said in the Criminal Court on Thursday.

The court heard the fight happened opposite the Empire Theatre.

Lawyer Norman George who represented the men said: “This was a new year’s over-exuberance, they had all been drinking.”

Both the men were ordered to pay $50 in court costs.

Wrong person charged?

A woman charged with careless driving causing injury might be the wrong person, says defense lawyer Mark Short in the Criminal Court at Avarua on Thursday.

Short asked Justice of the Peace, Georgina Keenan-Williams for an adjournment to allow time for further discussions with police to find out if his client was wrongly charged.

The matter was adjourned for March 3.

Lawyer: ‘Most difficult client’

Aisake Fimone charged with excess breath alcohol failed to appear in the Criminal Court at Avarua on Thursday.

The man’s lawyer, Norman George said he was “one of the most difficult clients” he’s had.

George said Fimone was in court but left before his name was called.

“I hope the court can excuse him for the last time,” he said.

George, who said he “can’t wait to bolt” from the client, asked for an adjournment of one week, which was granted by Justice of the Peace Georgina Keenan-Williams.

The defendant’s non-appearance was excused.

Community service breach

A man who failed to show up to community service was worried for his family in Fiji, heard the court.

Semesa Nalalakiwai pleaded guilty to missing community service in the Criminal Court on Thursday.

Defense lawyer, Norman George said Nalalakiwai was concerned for his family in Fiji following Tsunami waves caused by the volcanic eruption in Tonga.

George asked the court to impose a “Covid-19 rate” for the conviction. Nalalakiwai was fined $200 by Justice of the Peace, Georgina Keenan-Williams.

The JP said: “A simple phone call could have sorted this out, I’m sure probation would have been accepting of this excuse whether it is true or not.”

Nalalakiwai will also need to pay $50 in court costs.

Discharged without conviction 

A man who crashed into the side of another vehicle while driving his work truck was discharged without conviction on Thursday.

The court heard Teinakore-O-Ataela Ataera had no prior convictions and had cooperated with police. Alcohol was also not involved in the incident. 

The damage to the car was also paid for by insurance. 

Ataera was charged with reckless driving. 

Justice of the Peace, Georgina Keenan-Williams agreed with the prosecution’s suggestion to discharge Ataera without conviction.