28.10.2022

More charges

Tepareariki Rongokea charged with common assault has been told that more charges are going to be laid against him.

Rongokea appeared in the Criminal Court at Avarua on Thursday, presided by Justice of the Peace Tangi Taoro.

Crown law told the court additional charges would be laid against Rongokea.

Rongokea’s lawyer Mark Short asked for an adjournment.

JP Taoro adjourned the matter for November 10.

Bench warrant

A bench warrant has been issued for a man who failed to appear in Court for the second time.

Stephen Kavana was scheduled to appear in the Criminal Court at Avarua on Thursday but was in Aitutaki instead.

Justice of the Peace Tangi Taoro, who oversaw the matter, said: “This is the defendant’s second non-appearance therefore there is no excuse, a bench warrant is therefore issued for the defendant.”

Kavana’s lawyer, Tai Nicholas said he informed his client it was not appropriate to not appear in court.

However, Nicholas told the JP Taoro that Kavana could appear in court via Zoom from Aitutaki.

‘Habitual prowler’

Defence lawyer Norman George called his client a “habitual prowler” in the Criminal Court on Thursday.

Lucas Kamana charged with unlawfully found pleaded guilty through George.

George said: “This defendant has some real problems of a psychiatric nature, he seems to be a habitual prowler going on to properties.”

George also said Kamana was untruthful and he had “reluctantly” been dealing with him as a client for some time.

“I’m hoping he can be turned around so he can find a more respectable future.”

Justice of the Peace Tangi Taoro adjourned the matter for December 6.

Assault sentencing

Raeina Raeina pleaded guilty to the charge of assault on a female in the Criminal Court at Avarua on Thursday.

Raeina pleaded guilty through his lawyer Mark Short.

Short asked the court for a probation report.

Justice of the Peace Tangi Taoro who oversaw the matter set the sentencing date for December 6.