Drink driver apologises

A drink-driver didn’t have to travel far to land in hot water after crashing into the Ministry of Justice building in Avarua.

Ngatokorua William entered guilty pleas to drink driving and careless driving following an incident on October 5. 

His truck mounted the footpath by Ministry of Justice building and “plowed” into the fencing. 

William was breathalysed, blew 950 micrograms per litre of breath, and was subsequently arrested.

In court he apologised to the Ministry of Justice, was convicted and fined $301.50, disqualified from driving for 12 months, fined $40 for careless driving and ordered to pay $100 court costs.

Fined and disqualified

In the Criminal Court at Avarua on Thursday Arthur Oliver Williams appeared before Justice of the Peace Tangi Taoro on charges of excess breath alcohol and careless driving.

The court heard on November 12 about 5.55am on the Back Road, Williams crashed a car into a bridge.

The incident was reported to police and he was consequently charged with careless and drink driving.

Defence lawyer Lavi Rokoika asked for discounts, given an early guilty plea and no previous convictions.

JP Taoro fined Williams $268 and disqualified him from driving for 12 months. He was also fined $40 for careless driving and ordered to pay $100 court costs.

‘Not guilty’ plea

A man charged with assaulting a female has entered a not guilty plea.  

Defence lawyer Mark Short requested a hearing date for Joshua Nga Utanga.

The court registrar suggested a date in December but Short asked for longer as he needed time to prepare.

Police said the matter would likely take a day.

The matter was adjourned to February 2023 and Utanga was told to abide by a temporary protection order.