Trio in court on theft charges

Joseph Wichman, Areariki Cowan and Dawn Ngaeruaiti all faced charges of theft when they appeared in the High Court before Justice of the Peace Carmen Temata last week. Wichman pleaded guilty and police sought a three-week adjournment of his case. However due to the seriousness of the charge and the need for a three -JP sentencing, Wichman’s sentencing hearing was scheduled for June 2, when a probation report will be provided. Defence counsel Mark Short asked police to provide disclosure documents for his client Cowan, and an adjournment was granted to February 5. Police withdrew the charge against Ngaeruaiti on the basis that the matter had since been dealt with by the property owner and defendant. George Keu Fred Maoate appeared on charges of theft by finding. Defence counsel Norman George withdrew his services in the case, handed all disclosures to Maoate and urged the police and court to assist Maoate in seeking new counsel. Police prosecutor Fairoa Tararo submitted a new charge of burglary and sought a two-week adjournment to clarify whether the new charge was to substitute the old charge, or if the two charges would be separate. Adjournment was approved to February 12, with bail conditions to continue. Kyle Tamariki failed to appear on a charge of being unlawfully found on premises. Police prosecutor Tararo said he had no objections regarding Tamariki’s absence as police had withdrawn all charges due to insufficient evidence. Douglas Tau entered two pleas of not guilty to not being licensed or prohibited to have a Class C drug plant and possession of a utensil for smoking a class C Drug. However, Tau, who will appear before a judge and jury on July 23, pleaded guilty to a charge of being in possession of a Class C drug. Defence counsel Norman George sought approval from the court to adjourn the charge indefinitely, or until there had been an outcome from the other two charges. Police agreed with the request but continued to seek judgment regarding a fourth charge of contempt of court. George swiftly entered a plea of guilty on behalf of his client, followed by a further plea to the court for a withdrawal of the charge, on the grounds that his client had been so focused on his work he had simply lost track of the time. JP Temata withdrew the contempt of court charge with a strong warning to Tou not to offend again. The drug charges will be heard at a defended hearing in the High Court on July 23, before Justice Doherty. Teremoana Saddler pleaded guilty to a new charge of contempt of court after police withdrew five previous charges. A sentencing date was set for March 4, with all other pending charges to be heard and rescheduled on the same day. Saddler was remanded in custody.

Joseph Wichman, Areariki Cowan and Dawn Ngaeruaiti all faced charges of theft when they appeared in the High Court before Justice of the Peace Carmen Temata last week. Wichman pleaded guilty and police sought a three-week adjournment of his case. However due to the seriousness of the charge and the need for a three -JP sentencing, Wichman’s sentencing hearing was scheduled for June 2, when a probation report will be provided. Defence counsel Mark Short asked police to provide disclosure documents for his client Cowan, and an adjournment was granted to February 5. Police withdrew the charge against Ngaeruaiti on the basis that the matter had since been dealt with by the property owner and defendant. George Keu Fred Maoate appeared on charges of theft by finding. Defence counsel Norman George withdrew his services in the case, handed all disclosures to Maoate and urged the police and court to assist Maoate in seeking new counsel. Police prosecutor Fairoa Tararo submitted a new charge of burglary and sought a two-week adjournment to clarify whether the new charge was to substitute the old charge, or if the two charges would be separate. Adjournment was approved to February 12, with bail conditions to continue. Kyle Tamariki failed to appear on a charge of being unlawfully found on premises. Police prosecutor Tararo said he had no objections regarding Tamariki’s absence as police had withdrawn all charges due to insufficient evidence. Douglas Tau entered two pleas of not guilty to not being licensed or prohibited to have a Class C drug plant and possession of a utensil for smoking a class C Drug. However, Tau, who will appear before a judge and jury on July 23, pleaded guilty to a charge of being in possession of a Class C drug. Defence counsel Norman George sought approval from the court to adjourn the charge indefinitely, or until there had been an outcome from the other two charges. Police agreed with the request but continued to seek judgment regarding a fourth charge of contempt of court. George swiftly entered a plea of guilty on behalf of his client, followed by a further plea to the court for a withdrawal of the charge, on the grounds that his client had been so focused on his work he had simply lost track of the time. JP Temata withdrew the contempt of court charge with a strong warning to Tou not to offend again. The drug charges will be heard at a defended hearing in the High Court on July 23, before Justice Doherty. Teremoana Saddler pleaded guilty to a new charge of contempt of court after police withdrew five previous charges. A sentencing date was set for March 4, with all other pending charges to be heard and rescheduled on the same day. Saddler was remanded in custody.