Court
Accused asks to have his case heard by the High Court
Thursday 13 October 2022 | Written by Caleb Fotheringham | Published in Court, National
A man who pleaded not guilty to two counts of wilful damage and one count of assault on a female has asked to have his case heard by the High Court.
‘Remorseful’ motorcyclist fined $250 and banned from driving
Friday 7 October 2022 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Court, National
A motorcyclist who suffered life-threatening injuries in a crash has pleaded guilty to driving with excess blood alcohol.
PM Brown takes stand in Pa Enua tax policy petition case
Thursday 6 October 2022 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Court, National
Prime Minister Mark Brown appeared in the High Court in Avarua on Wednesday defending the Cook Islands Party’s policy of tax exemptions for those earning under $60,000 in the Pa Enua against accusations of bribery.
Lawyer readmitted to bar despite objections from Cook Islands Law Society
Tuesday 4 October 2022 | Written by Caleb Fotheringham | Published in Court, National
A lawyer who was struck off 12 years ago for drink driving has been given another chance.
Petition hearing dates confirmed
Monday 3 October 2022 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Court, National
Hearings on whether the Cook Islands Party’s tax-free policy for the Pa Enua is tantamount to bribery will take place this week.
Driver disqualified after crashing into police patrol bike
Saturday 1 October 2022 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Court, National
A driver who crashed into a police Patrol Bike outside the Empire Cinema has been disqualified from driving for 12 months.
Driver pays more than $7000 in reparations after crash
Saturday 1 October 2022 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Court, National
A man who crashed into the back of someone’s vehicle near Palace Takeaways has paid more than $7000 to the vehicle owner in reparations.
Repeat child sex offender sentenced to 14 years in prison
Wednesday 28 September 2022 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Court, Crime, National
A former taxi driver who committed multiple sexual offences against four girls under the age of 12 has been sentenced to 14 years’ imprisonment. Matthew Littlewood reports. (Warning: This story contains graphic descriptions of the offences committed by the defendant).
Cannabis ‘captain’ found guilty
Tuesday 27 September 2022 | Written by Caleb Fotheringham | Published in Court, National
The alleged leader of a cannabis operation is found guilty of drug related charges by a 10-person jury who deliberated for only an hour.
Atiu petitions struck out, United Party ‘looking to appeal’ decision
Tuesday 27 September 2022 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Court, National, Politics
Petitions alleging that two political candidates in Atiu were guilty of treating during the 2022 general election campaign have been struck out by Chief Justice Sir Hugh Williams.
Judge to make his closing remarks on cannabis trial
Monday 26 September 2022 | Written by Caleb Fotheringham | Published in Court, National
A defence lawyer for the alleged ‘captain’ of a cannabis drug operation says the real criminal is currently in New Zealand.
$800 fine for motorcyclist over five times alcohol limit
Saturday 24 September 2022 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Court, Crime, National
A motorcyclist who crashed into a colleague’s van was more than five times over the blood alcohol limit.
$398k cannabis trial begins
Monday 19 September 2022 | Written by Caleb Fotheringham | Published in Court, National
A trial for the alleged ‘captain’ of a cannabis drug operation started on Friday in the High Court at Avarua after multiple delays due to juror shortage.
Party hires NZ barrister for petition cases
Saturday 17 September 2022 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Court, National, Politics
The Cook Islands United Party has bolstered their legal team in their challenge over the election results in the Pa Enua.
Breach leads to extension of community service sentence
Friday 16 September 2022 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Court, National
A man has had his community service sentence extended by seven months after breaching his probationary conditions for the second time.
Multiple cases adjourned to High Court
Friday 16 September 2022 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Court, National
It looks like October 27 will be a busy day in the High Court, after Thursday’s Criminal Court session had multiple cases adjourned to the High Court for that date.
CJ reserves petition decision
Thursday 15 September 2022 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Court, National
The result of the Titikaveka seat may come down to Chief Justice Sir Hugh Williams’ interpretation of electoral law.
Juror shortage postpones trial
Wednesday 14 September 2022 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Court, National
The trial of Phillip Walter Montgomery Strickland who is facing cannabis related charges has been adjourned to Friday due to the lack of a full jury.
Jury trial adjourned
Tuesday 13 September 2022 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Court, National
A High Court jury trial had to be adjourned for a day because of the lack of people available for jury.
Kiwi to pay over $8k in reparations
Tuesday 13 September 2022 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Court, National
A New Zealander who crashed into a motorcyclist, injuring them in the process has agreed to pay more than $8000 in reparations and court costs.
