Motorcyclist Aisake Fimone was found to have 800 micrograms (mcg) of alcohol per litre of breath when he was stopped and breathalysed on December 3, 2021.

The drink-drive limit in the Cook Islands is 250mcg. Defence lawyer Norman George said he wished to enter a guilty plea to excess breath alcohol and being unlawfully found in a yard.

The court heard on the same day, December 3, 2021, Fimone was found in a property, intoxicated. He told police he had had an argument with his partner.

George said his client had been kicked out of home and he meant no harm. He described Fimone as hard-working and entered an apology to the court on his behalf.

“He is not really a bad young fella, he has a great future ahead of him.”

Justice of the Peace Georgina Keenan-Williams fined Fimone $40 plus $50 court costs for being unlawfully found in a yard.

She described his level of alcohol as “off the scale”.

“You work hard, play hard, but you have to think in terms of safety.”

He was fined $500 plus $50 court costs for excess breath alcohol, and disqualified from driving for 12 months.

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Guilty plea entered   

In the Criminal Court at Avarua on Thursday, Lucas Kamana entered guilty pleas to two theft charges, breaching a community service order, and two contempt of court charges.

The court heard he stole a mobile phone charger on May 2, 2021, stole an item of clothing on April 29, 2021, disobeyed a curfew on July 5, 2021, breached a community service order on August 21, 2021, and failed to report to police on December 24, 2021.

Justice of the Peace Georgina Keenan-Williams adjourned sentencing to March 30 in the High Court and ordered a probation report.

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Probation report

Andrew Ngatokotoru Teroi admitted assaulting a female on August 13, 28 and 29, 2021, then failing to report to police on December 10, 2021.

Defence lawyer Mark Short said he had letters of support for Teroi and asked for counselling services for the defendant and the victim.

“They are still together, hopefully we don’t see them again.”

JP Keenan-Williams ordered a probation report and adjourned the matter to April 12.

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Accused elects jury trial 

Tuterangi Wichman Ataera entered a not guilty plea and elected a trial by judge and jury when he appeared on a joint burglary charge.

Defence lawyer Norman George asked for a call over and the matter was adjourned for a call over on a date to be decided later.