A man who was sentenced a week ago for driving related charges, was before the Court on Thursday for breaching community service and his probationary licence.

Tupua Kita Rekareka appeared before Justice of the Peace Vania Kenning at the Criminal Court where he was ordered to pay a fine of $180 for breaching his court orders.

The 48-year-old Rekareka was sentenced on October 7 after being convicted of excess blood alcohol and careless driving. He was sentenced to serve 16 months of probation with conditions not to consume or purchase alcohol and not to enter any liquor licence premises and not to leave Cook Islands without the Court’s approval.

A probation officer informed the Court that on October 12, the defendant failed to attend community service in Avarua. When questioned, the defendant initially claimed to have been there at 8am However, upon further inquiry, the defendant revised his statement to say he had arrived at 7am. The officer alleged that the defendant was drinking.

Rekareka admitted to the breaches and was further ordered to pay $50 court cost.

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Tupouatimo Hagai Noa, who appeared via audio-visual link from Pa Enua, pleaded guilty to two counts of violating probation by consuming alcohol.

In August this year, after he had served a 12-months’ probation term for a previous offence, Noa was sentenced to 12 months of probation supervision.

He was ordered to attend community service in the first six months with the conditions not to consume or purchase alcohol, not to enter any liquor licence businesses after he was convicted for wilful damage and assault on a female.

The defendant was to be sentenced on October 22 for charges of assault on a child where he punched, slapped and stomped on a child’s ribs.

Senior police prosecutor, senior sergeant Fairoa Tararo requested that Noa, who admitted to breaching probation by consuming alcohol on September 7 and 13, be sentenced on October 22 for the new charges.

Tararo added that arrangements are being made for the defendant to be brought to Rarotonga for his sentencing.

The wilful damage charge against Noa has been withdrawn after he paid his ex-partner $169 to compensate for the damage to her mobile phone.

Noa is to be sentenced on October 22.