Crime
Possession to supply charge disputed
Wednesday 4 March 2015 | Published in Crime
Kahiki Rick Taua Tehaamatai faced charges of possession of a Class C drug, possession of a utensil for drug use and possession to supply when he appeared before Justice of the Peace Taepae Tuteru in the High Court last Thursday.
Twelve in court on drink-driving charges
Friday 27 February 2015 | Published in Crime
Twelve people charged with drink-driving appeared before Justice of the Peace John Kenning in the High Court on Thursday last week.
Seven in court on assault charges
Thursday 26 February 2015 | Published in Crime
Seven people charged with assault appeared before Justice of the Peace John Kenning in the High Court on Thursday, February 19.
Strict bail conditions imposed
Wednesday 25 February 2015 | Published in Crime
Okirua Manuela faced a charge of threatening grievous bodily harm when he appeared before Justice of the Peace John Kenning in the High Court on February 19.
Passport theft frightens woman
Monday 23 February 2015 | Published in Crime
Police are still looking for leads in a burglary which has left a local woman scared as well as drastically changing her overseas travel plans.
Lyon case finished for local police force
Saturday 21 February 2015 | Published in Crime
Cook Islands Police will not re-investigate the actions of a New Zealand sex offender who was allowed to live in the Cook Islands more than a decade ago, and was finally jailed in New Zealand in December.
Burglary cases adjourned
Friday 20 February 2015 | Published in Crime
Two men facing charges of burglary and theft appeared before Justice of the Peace Bernice Manarangi in the High Court last week.
Wallet's return puts holiday back on track
Thursday 19 February 2015 | Published in Crime
The sun is finally shining on the holiday of two American tourists after a woman was arrested and will appear in court today in relation to the alleged theft of $3000 from their accommodation.
Court appearances set for later
Wednesday 18 February 2015 | Published in Crime
Four people charged with driving with excess breath alcohol had their cases scheduled for later dates when they appeared before JP Manarangi in the High Court last week.
Theft wrecks holiday
Wednesday 18 February 2015 | Published in Crime
The holiday of two American visitors was over before it could start when they discovered a wallet containing credit cards and $3,000 cash had been stolen on their first day on Rarotonga.
Repeat offender jailed
Tuesday 17 February 2015 | Published in Crime
Toawea Highland was sentenced to three months’ imprisonment and 12 months’ probation as well as having his driver’s licence disqualified for 12 months, when he appeared in the High Court last week on a charge of driving with excess breath-alcohol.
Nine in court on assault charges
Tuesday 17 February 2015 | Published in Crime
Nine people appeared in the High Court on charges of assault last week.
Pair plead not guilty to drink-drive charges
Thursday 5 February 2015 | Published in Crime
Luke Brown and Michael Savage pleaded not guilty to charges of driving with excess breath alcohol when they appeared in the High Court last week.
Trio in court on theft charges
Thursday 5 February 2015 | Published in Crime
Joseph Wichman, Areariki Cowan and Dawn Ngaeruaiti all faced charges of theft when they appeared in the High Court before Justice of the Peace Carmen Temata last week. Wichman pleaded guilty and police sought a three-week adjournment of his case. However due to the seriousness of the charge and the need for a three -JP sentencing, Wichman’s sentencing hearing was scheduled for June 2, when a probation report will be provided. Defence counsel Mark Short asked police to provide disclosure documents for his client Cowan, and an adjournment was granted to February 5. Police withdrew the charge against Ngaeruaiti on the basis that the matter had since been dealt with by the property owner and defendant. George Keu Fred Maoate appeared on charges of theft by finding. Defence counsel Norman George withdrew his services in the case, handed all disclosures to Maoate and urged the police and court to assist Maoate in seeking new counsel. Police prosecutor Fairoa Tararo submitted a new charge of burglary and sought a two-week adjournment to clarify whether the new charge was to substitute the old charge, or if the two charges would be separate. Adjournment was approved to February 12, with bail conditions to continue. Kyle Tamariki failed to appear on a charge of being unlawfully found on premises. Police prosecutor Tararo said he had no objections regarding Tamariki’s absence as police had withdrawn all charges due to insufficient evidence. Douglas Tau entered two pleas of not guilty to not being licensed or prohibited to have a Class C drug plant and possession of a utensil for smoking a class C Drug. However, Tau, who will appear before a judge and jury on July 23, pleaded guilty to a charge of being in possession of a Class C drug. Defence counsel Norman George sought approval from the court to adjourn the charge indefinitely, or until there had been an outcome from the other two charges. Police agreed with the request but continued to seek judgment regarding a fourth charge of contempt of court. George swiftly entered a plea of guilty on behalf of his client, followed by a further plea to the court for a withdrawal of the charge, on the grounds that his client had been so focused on his work he had simply lost track of the time. JP Temata withdrew the contempt of court charge with a strong warning to Tou not to offend again. The drug charges will be heard at a defended hearing in the High Court on July 23, before Justice Doherty. Teremoana Saddler pleaded guilty to a new charge of contempt of court after police withdrew five previous charges. A sentencing date was set for March 4, with all other pending charges to be heard and rescheduled on the same day. Saddler was remanded in custody.
Police warning follows assault on tourist
Thursday 5 February 2015 | Published in Crime
Local police are issuing a strong warning that there is no place for violence in the Cook Islands.
Assault charge brings 12 months' probation
Tuesday 3 February 2015 | Published in Crime
The High Court on January 29 was presided over by Justice of the Peace Carmen Temata, who made the following judgments:
Last drive before licence loss
Wednesday 28 January 2015 | Published in Crime
Manatu Taumaa was convicted and fined $500 plus $30 court costs and was disqualified from driving for 12 months when he appeared the High Court last Thursday charged with driving with excess breath alcohol.
Injured tourist still struggles to hear
Wednesday 28 January 2015 | Published in Crime
The 36 year old British tourist injured in a vicious and unprovoked attack at an Avarua nightclub last Friday night still cannot hear properly, days after the incident.
Assault charge dropped
Wednesday 21 January 2015 | Published in Crime
Police officer Manuia Pareina had a charge of common assault dropped when he appeared in the High Court before Justice of the Peace John Kenning last Thursday.
Drink drivers fined, disqualified
Wednesday 21 January 2015 | Published in Crime
Six drivers appeared in the High Court last week on charges of driving with excess breath alcohol. The court was presided over by Justice of the Peace John Kenning.