A woman appearing through an audio-visual link from Manihiki has been given time to find a lawyer. Ngatamaine Pupuke appeared before Justice of the Peace Nadine Newnham for four counts of theft as a servant.

Jamie Crawford of Crown Law stated they hadn’t received the case file yet. Due to the amount of money stolen, the matter will be heard by the Chief Justice, the court heard.

Pupuke said she hadn’t found a lawyer but had sought assistance from Tina Browne, who said she would get back to her.

The matter was postponed to April 26.

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A businesswoman who is facing two counts of common assault has had her name suppression lifted.

Jakie Maurangi appeared before Justice of the Peace Nadine Newnham who said that there was no sufficient ground for name suppression to continue.

Defence counsel Norman George said this was a domestic matter between his client, and the client’s mother.

George said the prosecution was looking into a diversion and asked that the matter be adjourned.

The case was adjourned to May 9.

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Mindy Berret appeared for a charge of excess blood alcohol.

Represented by defence lawyer Mark Short, her case was adjourned to May 9.

Short explained the case involved an accident with a bus driver who has chosen to go to trial through their lawyer.

He requested to postpone Berret’s case until after the bus driver’s trial.

Short explained this is because the bus driver might try to blame Berret for the accident.

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A man facing a charge of assaulting a female has had his interim name suppression lifted.

Justice of the Peace Nadine Newnham explained that name suppression was previously granted to Edward Katu until his next appearance, which was yesterday.

Defence counsel Michelle Tangimama requested that name suppression continue as Katu still needed to explain the situation to his family.

She also requested an adjournment as she hadn’t yet received disclosures from the police.