Two men were sentenced on Tuesday in the Criminal Court in Avarua following separate assaults on women. One of the men was also found guilty on three counts of assaulting a child.

Both appeared before Justice of the Peace John Whitta after entering guilty pleas.

They were granted name suppression to protect the identity of the victims, who have gone through a lot and suffered mental health issues.

The accused, who was charged with assault on a female and three counts of assault on a child, was convicted to 18 months of probation with conditions of not to consume or purchase alcohol and not to enter licenced premises such as bars and nightclubs. 

The accused, who was represented by defence lawyer Charles Petero, was also ordered to attend counselling, not to lead to violence and not to leave the Cook Islands without approval from the High Court. He was ordered to pay a $50 court cost.

The initial judgment resulted in 24 months’ probation but because of his early guilty plea, he received a reduction, and the final sentence was reduced to 18 months.

The other victim, who pleaded guilty to assault on a female charge, was sentenced to 15 months’ probation.

Community service was not ordered for either of the accused men.

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Teau Taraiti, who is facing four counts of breaching probationary licence and unlawful taking, pleaded guilty in court earlier this month.

On November 27 last year, Taraiti unlawfully took a motorcycle from Matavera.

He also breached his probationary licence on the same day, and failed to report for probation on November 6, 13 and 20 of last year.

Senior police prosecutor senior sergeant Fairoa Tararo told Justice of the Peace John Whitta that chances for Taraiti to serve a custodial sentence would be high.

JP Whitta advised Taraiti that he was to remain in custody until he found somewhere to stay, and this time in custody would be deducted from his final sentence.

JP Whitta adjourned the matter to February 25 before three Justices of the Peace.

• Talaia Mika/Losirene Lacanivalu