Assault accused to defend himself

Oswell Metua Tunupopo will defend himself against two charges of common assault.

Police told the Criminal Court during Tunupopo’s appearance on Thursday that he would defend himself before asking that the matter be adjourned to February 29.

Justice of the Peace Vania Kenning said an adjournment was sought for disclosure.

Tunupopo was told not to offer violence, not leave the Cook Islands without permission and not to interfere with the alleged victim.

The matter was adjourned to February 29.        

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Name suppression for woman accused of careless driving 

A woman charged with careless driving has been given interim name suppression.

Police said they had discussed the matter with the defendant when she appeared in the Criminal Court on Thursday.

An adjournment was sought and a request for name suppression in order to let her notify family and to protect her employment.

The matter was adjourned to February 8.

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Visitor hit with drink driving conviction following quarrel with partner 

A woman has pleaded guilty to driving a rental car while more than four times over the legal alcohol limit.

Agnes Rameka entered a guilty plea to excess breath alcohol when she appeared in the Criminal Court on Thursday.

Her blood alcohol level was 203 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood. The limit is 50mg. 

The incident on January 18, was reported at 8.47pm when Rameka, a visitor to the Cook Islands, veered into fencing near the Rarotonga International Airport.

The court heard Rameka and her partner were in the rental vehicle headed in the direction of the airport after leaving 21.3 Vaiana's Bar & Bistro, when they got into an argument.

Her partner pulled on the handbrake, forcing the car off the road.

Police sought reparations of $150 for the blood test and $550 for damage to the fence.

Justice of the Peace Vania Kenning fined Rameka $400 and ordered her to pay $50 court costs.

She was disqualified from driving for 12 months and ordered to pay $150 towards the blood test and $500 for damage to the fence.

Rameka was told to surrender her passport until the fine and reparations were paid.