Crime
Court asked to strike out libel charges
Friday 1 October 2010 | Published in Crime
Justice of the peace Tui Short presided over a number of cases in the high court yesterday. Norman George v John Woods, Cook Islands News and Tim Buchanan – George told the court that he intends to make CI News, Woods and Buchanan face charges of criminal libel, and yesterday’s appearance was just “the first […]
Short court session
Friday 17 September 2010 | Published in Crime
Justice of the peace Tiki Matapo yesterday presided over the shortest criminal court sitting in months: Andrew Tonorio appeared for call-over on charges of breaking and entering. He will appear before three justices of the peace on October 27. Ngaau Samuel – call-over on charges of breaking and entering. His case was adjourned to September […]
Jury deliberates in Williams trial
Friday 10 September 2010 | Published in Crime
Crown prosecutor Kim Saunders said that “the evidence all points to it being a deliberate act – (there was) nothing accidental about it” in her closing statement in the Paul Williams trial yesterday. She made the comments as lawyers on both sides delivered their closing statements. Since last week, the Crown has been trying to […]
Death scene questioned
Wednesday 1 September 2010 | Published in Crime
Judge David Williams and the jury yesterday heard evidence from detective sergeant Roimata Peraua and sergeant Enoka Teaukura, who attended the scene at which visiting Golden Oldies rugby player Duncan Barrowman died last year. Paul Williams is on trial for his death, facing charges of manslaughter, dangerous driving causing death and excess breath alcohol, which […]
Peace Garden makeover
Saturday 21 August 2010 | Published in Crime
The Peace Garden next to the Cook Islands Library and Museum will undergo a major makeover in the weeks leading up to International Peace Day on September 21. The brainchild of Eleitino Paddy Walker, the garden is part of a Pan Pacific Southeast Asia Women’s Association (PPSEAWA) project to promote peace, in line with UNESCO’s […]
First land case goes to the Privy Council
Saturday 21 August 2010 | Published in Crime
For the first time in history, the British Privy Council will hear a Cook Islands land court case. Ownership of the land in question – Tuarea Nui Section 40 – has been hotly contested for the better part of a century. June Baudinet on behalf of Ngati Raina has for six years been in and […]
JP regrets no mental health facilities
Friday 20 August 2010 | Published in Crime
Justice of the peace John Kenning presided over a number of cases in the high court yesterday: James Engu has been incarcerated for six months on a charge that he is of unsound mind. He’s been in and out of court, but psychological evaluation reports affirm that he is unfit to enter a plea. Kenning […]
Aitutaki mayor cleared
Friday 13 August 2010 | Published in Crime
Tai Herman was cleared of a common assault charge in court yesterday, which means he’ll be able to retain his position as mayor of Aitutaki. The charge was laid after an altercation between Herman and another man, who was afterward charged with threatening to kill Herman. (He was later discharged without conviction.) Defence counsel Sarah […]
20% not filing returns
Thursday 5 August 2010 | Published in Crime
Almost 200 companies failed to file their annual returns before June 30 and have reportedly been struck off the Companies Register. But according to the Ministry of Justice, the companies actually still have until October to pay the fees for their annual returns which are a minimum of $20 based on the level of capital […]
Herman appears on assault charge
Tuesday 3 August 2010 | Published in Crime
Justice of the peace John Kenning presided over a number of cases in the high court last week: James Tai Herman – call-over for assault with intent. Police prosecutor Tuaine Manavaroa requested that Kenning withdraw the charge of assault with intent and replace it with common assault. Defence counsel Lavenia Rokoika, acting for her principal […]
Family dispute ends in imprisonment
Saturday 24 July 2010 | Published in Crime
Ngatupuna Taere was yesterday sentenced to a year in prison after taking responsibility for the death of her brother. Taere, who had name suppression until yesterday, pleaded guilty to manslaughter this month. Judge Nicholson, crown counsel and defence counsel Norman George all agreed that the case was a sensitive one, and “not a typical case” […]
Vakalalabure not guilty on four charges
Saturday 24 July 2010 | Published in Crime
Disbarred lawyer Tevita Vakalalabure was yesterday found not guilty of the four charges brought against him, although has been found guilty on one lesser charge. The week long trial ended yesterday with Vakalalabure appearing on two charges of threatening to kill, one charge of assault with intent to injure and one charge of endangering others. […]
Vakalalabure trial hears of black out
Thursday 22 July 2010 | Published in Crime
Disbarred lawyer takes court through events of 2008 party Tevita Vakalalabure yesterday told the High Court of his alcohol dependency and how it lead to his appearance in court. The disbarred lawyer is being tried in a jury trial on four separate charges assault with intent to injure, two charges of threatening to kill or […]
Former lawyer in court
Tuesday 20 July 2010 | Published in Crime
Disbarred lawyer Tevita Vakalalabure is in court this week, being tried before judge and jury on four separate charges. He’s appearing for assault with intent to injure, two charges of threatening to kill or do grievous bodily harm and endangering the safety of other people. The trial has been set down for four days but […]
$54,000 theft case
Tuesday 13 July 2010 | Published in Crime
Eiao Baniani pleaded not guilty to two charges of theft which amount to over $54,000 when he appeared in the High Court at Rarotonga yesterday It is alleged Baniani stole the money from his former employers at Paradise Cove in Aitutaki. Yesterday was the first day of a jury trial that is set down for […]
Two rape cases in court
Monday 12 July 2010 | Published in Crime
Justice of the peace John Kenning presided over a number of cases in the high court last week: A man with name suppression again entered no plea to a charge of rape. He will appear before a jury on a date which will be set at a call-over on August 19. Another man with name […]
Good day on court for Cooks
Wednesday 7 July 2010 | Published in Crime
The Cook Islands tennis squad had a successful day on the courts yesterday in day two of the East Pacific Qualifying tennis tournament at the Nikao Tennis Centre. Some great wins were seen right across the age groups from the under 12 and under 14 grades to the under 18 division. The country’s top junior […]
Te Puna dispute continues
Wednesday 7 July 2010 | Published in Crime
The Te Puna land dispute marches on. Lawyer Ross Holmes has withdrawn his application for a re-hearing and amended the 45-page appeal he filed in early April. The appeal is now a slim five pages and names three respondents – Tere Carr on behalf of Tereapii Ritea and Mata Short and family, Ian Wilmot on […]
Law Society addresses shortage
Friday 2 July 2010 | Published in Crime
The Cook Islands Law Society responded yesterday to a letter to the editor published in CI News last Saturday charging that the Cook Islands justice system is disorganised and inefficient. The letter writer questions the “apparent lack of urgency in dispensing justice through our court system” and calls it “an increasingly embarrassing situation”. President of […]
CIANGO back with public meeting
Monday 28 June 2010 | Published in Crime
CIANGO, the recently-reinstated organisation that acts as an umbrella for all non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in the Cook Islands, is focusing on recruiting members it lost when it was struck off the ministry of justice register last December. CIANGO was re-registered on March 8 and has since been holding executive board meetings regularly. But last night […]
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