Name suppression granted in theft case

A woman facing a charge of theft was granted named suppression in the Criminal Court on Rarotonga. 

Defence lawyer Lavi Rokoika made the request during a call over matter on Thursday.

Rokoika said the basis of the application was the case was still being processed and she needed disclosure from police.

Having received partial disclosure, she said disclosure had not been completed.

It was a family matter and suppression was requested until the next call over.

“If her name is released it will cause injustice to this defendant.

“It will cause more economic harm than justice.

“I ask the court to order police to deliver disclosure.”

The police prosecutor confirmed disclosure was yet to be filed, while name suppression was at the discretion of the court.

Justice of the Peace Tangi Taoro granted name suppression and adjourned the matter to April 6. 

Name suppression declined in police safety order breach matter 

A second client of Rokoika’s was no so fortunate when JP Taoro turned down a request for name suppression.

Maika Vulicakacaka, a civil servant, is facing a breach of police safety charge.

Police opposed name suppression on the grounds of open justice.

JP Taoro accepted a not guilty plea and asked for disclosure to be released, then declined the name suppression application. 

The matter was adjourned to April 18. 

The scene of the crash at Muri on February 5. 23021303

Drink driving woman nearly twice the legal limit 

A 53-year-old woman was over the limit when she fell asleep at the wheel and crashed into a drain following a night out in Rarotonga.

The car she was driving, a red BMW, ploughed into a ditch near Muri shortly after 5.30am on February 5. 

She returned a breath test reading of 468 micrograms per litre of breath following the incident.

No injuries were reported.

Defence lawyer Lavi Rokoika said it was her first appearance and no previous convictions. 

She was facing excess breath alcohol and careless driving charges and Rokoika said there should be a discount for an early guilty plea.   

She was fined $168 and disqualified for 12 months on the excess breath alcohol charge, then fined $50 for careless driving.

Court costs of $100 were imposed.