Crime
7 year old rape case reaches trial
Tuesday 16 September 2014 | Published in Crime
The long awaited trial for rape began on Monday, where the court heard how a young girl faced sexual abuse over many years since the age of ten.
Ringleader pleads not guilty
Sunday 14 September 2014 | Published in Crime
An ALLEGED ringleader in a spate of burglaries on Rarotonga in June has pleaded not guilty to all of his charges.
Three face warrants for arrest
Sunday 14 September 2014 | Published in Crime
Three people accused of dishonesty offences have warrants out for their arrest after not appearing in the High Court.18-year-olds Solomona Haurua and Ngatokorua Junior Hewett, along with Ngametua Tiatoa, 16, were nowhere to be found after their names were called during a single Justice of the Peace criminal court session on Thursday. Haurua along with Tiatoa face a charge of theft each, while Hewett faces a charge of aiding and abetting. Presiding Justice of the Peace Georgina Williams granted police prosecution bench warrants for the arrest of each offender. Others appearing in court on Thursday for dishonesty offences were Tepatua Ngatamariki Crummer, 21, Helen Koroa, 20, and Travel Engu, 25.Crummer, who faces charges of unlawful taking, contempt of court, two counts of burglary and disobeying court orders, had all his matters adjourned because his lawyer Mark Short had only just received disclosure from police on two new charges of burglary and theft. Crummer is accused of burglary on a storage container in Takuvaine, and theft of $5000 worth of items from the same property.His matters were adjourned to October 9 and he was remanded back into custody.Koroa, charged with two counts of theft of money had her matters adjourned to September 25 while her counsel Wilkie Rasmussen reviews disclosure documents he recently received from police.Engu also had to have his matters adjourned to September 25 as his counsel Brian Mason was in Aitutaki for an electoral petition. - MWK
Seven face drink driving charge
Sunday 14 September 2014 | Published in Crime
Two men have been fined $400 after pleading guilty to drink driving and five others, including a 16-year-old have appeared in court charged with drink driving.
Second discharge without conviction for businessman
Saturday 13 September 2014 | Published in Crime
Local business owner and Atiu mayor George Taoro Brown has been discharged without conviction for his second charge of common assault.
Re-trial for Aitutaki firearm incident
Friday 12 September 2014 | Published in Crime
Aitutaki man Poaru Tatira may have a re-trial next year with a judge and jury on a firearm charge that was dismissed by three Justices of the Peace in March.
Nightclub brawler back in court
Monday 8 September 2014 | Published in Crime
The High Court on September 4 was presided over by Justice of the Peace Carmen Temata, who made the following judgements:
Pacific tuna stocks on the brink of disaster, warns outgoing fisheries head Glenn Hurry
Monday 8 September 2014 | Published in Crime
The Australian who heads fishery management in the Western and Central Pacific has warned an international agreement is urgently needed to avert disaster for the tuna industry.
More counselling needed says Punanga Tauturu
Saturday 6 September 2014 | Published in Crime
Two defendants whose partners wanted assault charges dropped will need to continue their counselling, say counselling service Punanga Tauturu.
High numbers of road accidents a concern for local police officers
Monday 1 September 2014 | Published in Crime
Police will be stepping up their traffic control procedures after attending to five motor vehicle accidents in two days.
Crash runaway fined, loses licence
Friday 29 August 2014 | Published in Crime
Fleeing the scene of a crash has left a Nikao man without a licence.
Nandi Glassie allegedly involved in crash
Friday 29 August 2014 | Published in Crime
Police are investigating a crash involving a “high profile person” identified by an eyewitness as being Atiu MP and Cabinet Minister Nandi Glassie.
Lemon thief gets community service
Friday 29 August 2014 | Published in Crime
An Arorangi man who stole lemons from a private property in Akaoa will spend three months doing community service after pleading guilty.
Ex-cashier sentenced for taking cash
Thursday 28 August 2014 | Published in Crime
A former supermarket cashier has been sentenced to 12 months' probation for taking an envelope full of cash left on her checkout counter.
Offender told to make a fresh start
Wednesday 27 August 2014 | Published in Crime
A first-time offender who admitted to assisting four burglaries on Rarotonga in June has managed to avoid a long probation sentence and been told to make a fresh start.
Confused tourist flees the country
Tuesday 26 August 2014 | Published in Crime
A German tourist cut short his holiday in the Cook Islands after hearing what he mistakenly thought were threatening comments made against him.
Heavy fine for drunk driving visitor
Monday 25 August 2014 | Published in Crime
The High Court on August 21 was presided over by Justice of the Peace Georgina Williams, who made the following judgements:
Couples counselling before cases go ahead
Saturday 23 August 2014 | Published in Crime
Two men charged with assaulting their female partners have been diverted for counselling before a decision is made on their cases.
Attack on man after he gave the 'middle finger'
Friday 22 August 2014 | Published in Crime
A man has been convicted and fined after beating up a passer-by who gave him the “one finger salute” to his request to join his group in a drinking session.
Alleged burglar makes diversion scheme
Friday 22 August 2014 | Published in Crime
One defendant accused of taking part in the burglaries of four Rarotonga businesses two months ago has been approved for alternative resolution by the Cook Islands Police.