Holiday crash extends Kiwi’s visit

Saturday 28 March: A New Zealand tourist has had his holiday extended, courtesy of the Rarotonga High Court.

Russell Corfield had his passport confiscated after pleading guilty on Thursday to careless driving causing injury. He was due to leave the country today.

Appearing before Justice of Peace Carmen Temata yesterday, the 57-year-old admitted to failing to stop at a stop sign on the back road of Avatiu on March 22. Consequently a man driving a motorcycle and his eight-year-old passenger both fell after running into the left hand side of the vehicle.

The male motorcyclist sustained a gash to the back of his head, a gash to his right knee and abrasions to his left knee while the eight-year-old suffered abrasions to her lip and right shoulder.

Reparations were sought of $400 for medical expenses incurred by the victims.

The case is outside the jurisdiction of a single JP, so Justice Temata gave Corfield the option of being sentenced next Thursday before Chief Justice David Williams or in April before the three JPs.

The case is adjourned to April 2 with a probation report ordered. Corfield cannot leave the country until sentencing. - DK