A man with a history of driving related charges in the Cook Islands High Court has been disqualified from driving for 18 months.

Justice of the Peace Tangi Taoro yesterday sentenced Tupupua Rekareka for excess blood alcohol and careless driving charges. JP Taoro warned Rekareka to change his attitude and abide by the law, emphasising that this was the last time the Court would be lenient on him.

The Court heard that on Saturday, June 15, Police received a complaint of an accident at the Nikao backroad where the defendant crashed into a grey Toyota van.

Rekareka was on his way home from Tupapa when he crashed into the van. He decided to drive away from the scene. Rekareka was taken from his home to the police station, where he admitted to the facts.

JP Taoro said an excess blood alcohol test was conducted and returned a result of 285.6 milligrams. The legal limit is 50mg.

According to the Probation Report, the defendant is from Pukapuka and used to be a heavy drinker. He now drank in moderation, the report said.

Police prosecutor senior sergeant Fairoa Tararo told the Court that alcohol seemed to be an issue for the defendant and recommended probation and community service for sentencing with conditions.

JP Taoro said this was Rekareka’s third appearance for an EBA charge. The first occurred in 2017 and the second in 2019, resulting in a month-long jail sentence.

“You have not learnt any lesson. There was a high level of alcohol in your system and you were fortunate no one was seriously injured…” she said.

JP Taoro disqualified Rekareka from driving for 18 months. She also ordered him to 16 months of probation with six-month community service, and conditions not to consume or purchase alcohol, not to enter any liquor licence premises and not to leave the country without the Court’s approval.

He was also told to pay $500 to the crash victim, $150 for blood report, $67 fine for careless driving charge and $100 court costs for both charges.