Crime
Tepuka lands remain with the Cook Islands Christian Church
Thursday 29 March 2012 | Published in Crime
Chief Justice Tom Weston has ruled that the court was within its rights over a century ago to vest Nikao land Tepuka 106C into the hands of the London Missionary Society (LMS). He yesterday heard an application lodged by Ellena Tavioni on behalf of the kopu ariki of Ngati Makea for an interim injunction against […]
Tini claim difficult to prove: CJ
Wednesday 28 March 2012 | Published in Crime
Former Cook Islands Investment Corporation (CIIC) chief executive officer John Tini continues to pursue claims against the corporation and the office of (former) audit director Paul Allsworth in relation to his 2009 suspension. Tini was suspended in 2009 with pay, subject to an investigation organised by CIIC. The corporation claims it did conduct that investigation […]
Crown advised to cut drug charges
Tuesday 27 March 2012 | Published in Crime
Crown prosecutors have been advised to reduce the number of charges they have laid against eight Operation Eagle defendants. Chief Justice Tom Weston was yesterday scheduled to make timetabling orders in relation to the trials of eight separate defendants – Giovanni Marsters, Inano Matapo, Dina Matapo, Sam Tangaroa, Riki Carlson, Mark Franklin, Mere King and […]
Drunk driver caused 'terrible injuries'
Monday 26 March 2012 | Published in Crime
Muri businessman Stephen Spain appeared in court on Friday for sentencing on two charges of causing bodily injury while driving under the influence of drink, and one charge of driving with excess breath alcohol. Both relate to an incident in January of this year, in which the defendant was driving while intoxicated (with a level […]
Probation and community service for 2 false cheques
Saturday 24 March 2012 | Published in Crime
Matangaro Areaiti was yesterday sentenced to 12 months’ probation and six months’ community service after being convicted of two charges of fraud. Appearing before Chief Justice Tom Weston in the High Court, the defendant represented herself. She declined to speak, and in the absence of a defence Weston relied solely on Crown submissions and the […]
Accomplice sentenced
Saturday 24 March 2012 | Published in Crime
For conspiring to burgle Ronnie Si’ulepa’s house in conjunction with Bishop Bailey, Kapu Joseph was sentenced in the High Court yesterday. Appearing before Chief Justice Tom Weston, the teenaged defendant represented himself. He responded in the affirmative when Weston asked whether Bailey was the “leader” of the criminal activity. Weston then asked the defendant he […]
Burglar aged 16 convicted
Saturday 24 March 2012 | Published in Crime
Having admitted a principal charge of burgling Ronnie Si’uelpa’s home, Bishop Bailey appeared for sentencing before Chief Justice Tom Weston in the High Court yesterday. Bailey, 16, also pleaded guilty to a single charge of theft of a cell phone, a single charge of possession of cannabis and a single charge of smoking cannabis. Si’ulepa […]
2 years in jail for sex crime
Saturday 24 March 2012 | Published in Crime
Seventeen-year-old Ngatokoa Teao has been sentenced to two years in prison after being convicted on a charge of attempted sexual intercourse with a girl under 12. When the prisoner failed to appear in court on Thursday, the bench issued a warrant for his arrest. Yesterday Teao appeared for sentencing before Chief Justice Tom Weston. Prior […]
Court 'troubled' by drunk driving case
Friday 23 March 2012 | Published in Crime
Teariki Herman was yesterday convicted on charges of drunk driving causing injury and driving with excess breath alcohol. Having already pleaded guilty to both charges through defence counsel Norman George, Herman appeared before Chief Justice Tom Weston for sentencing in the High Court this week. The charges relate to an incident at Avana, when the […]
Teen's case 'sounded pretty grim'
Friday 23 March 2012 | Published in Crime
Seventeen-year-old student Jade Fraser appeared for sentencing on two charges before Chief Justice Tom Weston in the High Court yesterday. Having admitted to charges of possession of 671 cannabis seeds and dangerous driving, the defendant was treated “exceptionally leniently” by the court, in the words of the chief justice. After delivering his sentence, Weston told […]
'Disgusting' assault earns 4 convictions
Friday 23 March 2012 | Published in Crime
Tereapii Vavia appeared for sentencing on four separate charges before Chief Justice Tom Weston in the High Court yesterday. He has admitted to assaulting a female, doing wilful damage to a door (valued at $650), doing damage by fire to property (valued at US$4300), and breaching a non-molestation order. Three of those charges relate to […]
Bench warrant issued
Friday 23 March 2012 | Published in Crime
Teenager Ngatokoa Teao did not appear when called before Chief Justice Tom Weston for sentencing yesterday. Accordingly, Weston issued a bench warrant for his arrest. Teao, who is being represented by defence counsel Norman George, faces four charges – one injuring with intent, one attempted sexual intercourse with a girl under 12 and two contempt […]
'Excuses' not accepted, dismissal upheld
Friday 23 March 2012 | Published in Crime
Tevaerangi Tatuava has lost a $38,130 claim against the Cook Islands Family Welfare Association (CIFWA) over what she alleged was wrongful termination. Chief Justice Tom Weston heard her claim in the High Court at Avarua on Tuesday. Robert Samuel and Norman George appeared for the plaintiff, and Lavenia Rokoika for the non-government organisation. The crux […]
Case on hold until company reinstated
Thursday 22 March 2012 | Published in Crime
An ongoing civil case between Yuh Yow Marine and Northern Cook Islands Fishing Company (NCIFC) has been stalled on account of the latter being struck off the Companies Register in mid-September of last year. Chief Justice Tom Weston yesterday adjourned the case until such time as the company is re-instated. “The reality is if they […]
'Double jeopardy'
Wednesday 21 March 2012 | Published in Crime
Defendant Noema Kauvarevai appeared in court last week on a charge of contempt, to which he pleaded guilty. But defence counsel Norman George claimed he was being doubly fined for a single charge, accusing the police of a “miscarriage of justice”. George called the case a “double penalty”, as the defendant was fined $80 in […]
JP orders counselling
Wednesday 21 March 2012 | Published in Crime
The court last week placed a man on probation for physically assaulting his partner. Kevin Caffery appeared for call-over on a charge of (being a male) assaulting a female. Defence counsel Norman George labelled the probation services’ recommendation that the defendant serve a six-month probation sentence ‘very harsh’. Of the incident to which the charge […]
Secret report behind Toa action
Tuesday 20 March 2012 | Published in Crime
Apex Agencies continues to pursue an action it brought in 2010 against the secretary of internal affairs, minister of internal affairs, Triad Petroleum and Te Aponga Uira in relation to its competitor’s dangerous goods licence. In essence, Apex is challenging the ministry’s issuance of a dangerous goods licence to Triad in 2010. Represented by New […]
OIA request made for 'secret' report
Tuesday 20 March 2012 | Published in Crime
Cook Islands News yesterday issued an Official Information Act request for release of a public document describing compliance by 12 fuel outlets under the Dangerous Goods Act. The request was issued immediately after the High Court revealed the existence of the report dated November 2010. CINews managing editor John Woods wrote to Internal Affairs secretary […]
Toa injunction denied
Tuesday 20 March 2012 | Published in Crime
An application for an interim injunction brought by Avatiu landowners against Apex Agencies – parent company of Toa Petroleum – was yesterday denied. Chief Justice Tom Weston heard submissions from Tim Arnold on behalf of hundreds of landowners, who are being represented by Philip Nicholas, and from New Zealand barrister Paul Dale on behalf of […]
Drink, drug, driving cases dealt with
Friday 16 March 2012 | Published in Crime
Yesterday’s sitting of the Cook Islands High Court at Avarua opened with a moment of silence to honour the late Ina Tautu, a long-standing justice of the peace who has passed away. Justice of the peace Tangi Taoro presided over the following cases, appearing in the order in which they were called: Koro Tangaroa appeared […]
« Previous 1 … 114 115 116 117 118 119 120 121 122 … 140 Next »