A man who has multiple disqualified driving convictions has been told he will only hurt himself and his family if he continues to offend.

Recidivist cautioned 

Ngamata Turangatira appeared in the Criminal Court at Avarua on Thursday charged with driving while disqualified.  

Justice of the Peace Georgina Keenan-Williams heard Turangatira had been charged and convicted of drink driving in June 2021, then disqualified from driving for 12 months.

On November 21 he was stopped by police for riding a motorcycle. In explanation he said he had gone to buy groceries for his partner.

The court heard his partner is expecting to give birth to their first child within a month and that she relied on the defendant to support her.

He had appeared before the court on five previous occasions, four of those for driving while disqualified.

Police submitted a request for the maximum fine.

“You are not going to hurt anyone else but yourself and your family,” JP Keenan-Williams said.

Turangatira was fined $200 plus $50 court costs.

‘Seek a lawyer’

Andrew Teroi has been told to see a lawyer or “look out” after appearing in court on multiple assault charges.

Teroi appeared on three assault on female charges, a contempt of court charge and failure to pay a fine.

“Where have you been?” JP Georgina Keenan-Williams asked. “Why haven’t you been to see a lawyer?”

Defence lawyer Mark Short said he had last seen Teroi in 2021 and had not received proper instructions.

“You have some outstanding serious charges,” JP Keenan-Williams said.

“We will adjourn to February 17, go see your lawyer or look out.”

Prolonging plea

A man facing contempt of court and joint burglary charges has been told to stop dragging the case on.

Shawn Uriaere appeared in the Criminal Court on Thursday where JP Georgina Keenan-Williams told him the charges will not go away.

The police prosecutor said the defendant had had numerous opportunities to enter a plea.

“We need a plea whether he has counsel or not, he has been given numerous opportunities to seek counsel.”

“Do you have a lawyer?” JP Keenan-Williams asked Uriaere.

“Not yet,” he replied.

“What happened to your lawyer, have you spoken to a lawyer, are you wanting to plea?” JP Keenan-Williams asked.

“I’m not too sure,” he replied.

JP Keenan-Williams adjourned the matter to February 10. “Don’t keep dragging it on, it’s not going to go away.”