A man facing multiple charges has questioned his bail conditions in choosing to defend himself.

Defendant requests

Iorama Ngataua appeared in the Criminal Court at Avarua on Friday charged with wounding with intent to injure, contempt of court, wilful damage, assault on a female and joint burglary.

Chief Justice Sir Hugh Williams asked Ngataua if he wanted a lawyer.

Ngataua said he would defend himself and was warned by Justice Williams that people who defend themselves don’t do as well as those who are represented by lawyers.

Ngataua asked the court if his curfew could be dropped as he had been on a curfew for 12 months.

Justice Williams asked for his curfew times which were confirmed as between 7pm and 7am unless for work or medical purposes.

He then adjourned the matter to February 4.

Man remanded

A man remanded in custody two weeks ago on firearms charges has reappeared in court on other matters.

Ordain Tutakiao appeared on two charges of having unregistered firearms in the Criminal Court on January 20 when defence lawyer Mark Short said he had not received any information in relation to the charges and asked for disclosure.

On Friday the defendant appeared in the Criminal Court on charges of dangerous driving causing injury and possession of a utensil.  

Short again asked for the matter to be adjourned as he did not have disclosure.

“We will call your case in a weeks’ time, you are remanded in custody,” Justice Williams told Tukakiao.  

Psychiatric report

A man facing arson and contempt of court charges is scheduled to appear in court this week as a psychiatric report has been completed.

Derek Trego was remanded in custody in August 2021 after the court heard he had breached bail conditions within hours of a previous appearance.

It was not his first breach of bail and there were some concerns, the police prosecutor said at the time, while requesting custody and a psychiatric report.

On Friday, Justice Williams said the report indicated Trego might have been insane at the time of the offence but knew right from wrong. 

He adjourned the matter to February 4.