A woman who is facing two counts of common assault was granted interim name suppression at the Criminal Court in Avarua on Thursday.

Justice of the Peace Vania Kenning granted interim name suppression due to the impact on the defendant’s business after defence counsel Norman George made submissions.

George argued that the domestic assault involved his client, her mother, and her daughter.

He said he would return in the next sitting to decide whether they would accept the charges or contest them.

For name suppression, George submitted that the defendant had no previous convictions and she is not guilty until proven so.

Police prosecutor, Senior Sergeant Tuaine Manavaroa said the defendant had appeared in a previous court sitting and her name may have been published in the media.

However, George said the appearance was meaningless and she was not convicted then, and she appeared without counsel then.

When asked by JP Kenning if there was likely to be any harm if she is not granted name suppression, George replied: “Yes, she is a business lady … a good chance she will be acquitted because the mother and daughter rushed onto her and beat her up.”

The matter was adjourned to March 28.

In another assault matter, a man was granted interim name suppression until the next court sitting for a charge of assault on a female.

Defence lawyer Michelle Tangimama requested interim name suppression, so that the defendant could have time to inform his family.

Senior sergeant Manavaroa did not object to this.

JP Kenning also adjourned the matter to March 28 and approved interim name suppression until the next appearance.