Crime
Vaka TV case back before High Court
Friday 7 February 2014 | Published in Crime
An unresolved court case between an Australian investor and local television station Vaka Television has been brought back to the attention of the High Court.
Super fund case defendant 'vindicated'
Wednesday 5 February 2014 | Published in Crime
The defendant at the forefront of the recently decided superannuation fund court case is elated with last week’s outcome.
Drunk driver not given a chance to call lawyer
Monday 3 February 2014 | Published in Crime
A lawyer has raised an issue in court with police, who he claims do not allow time for anyone they have apprehended to speak to a lawyer.
Prison escapee hopeful for charge withdrawal
Monday 3 February 2014 | Published in Crime
The High Court on January 30 was presided over by Justice of the Peace Tauei Solomon, who made the following judgements: Wilfred Dauvois, 34, appeared for a call-over where he was described by his lawyer, Norman George, as being “a different man altogether” since being on prescription medication for a form of psychosis.
Beer thieves plead guilty
Wednesday 29 January 2014 | Published in Crime
A young duo caught on CCTV footage taking two cartons of beer from Super Brown during the Christmas break have been identified as Beniamina Patia, 16, and Vaikaloa Taufahema, 19.
Contempt of court charge leads to jail
Wednesday 29 January 2014 | Published in Crime
An imported rugby player awaiting trial for a charge of rape has been jailed for his third time breaking a bail condition barring him from purchasing or consuming alcohol.
Govt worker on suspended sentence after assault
Wednesday 29 January 2014 | Published in Crime
The High Court on January 23 was presided over by Justices of the Peace Carmen Temata and Mata Nooroa, who made the following judgements: Manoa Mataitini, 35, appeared for sentencing for a charge of common assault.
Young man warned prison will be next
Monday 20 January 2014 | Published in Crime
A young man with a history of drug related offences has been sentenced for assaulting his 8 month pregnant girlfriend, over petrol.
Domestic dispute leads to break in at Whale centre
Monday 20 January 2014 | Published in Crime
The High Court on January 16 was presided over by Justice of the Peace John Kenning, who made the following judgements: Siliamoanalulu Lupena, 24, pleaded guilty to a charge of wilful damage, for damaging a fence, sign post, louvers and mirror on the property of the Whale Research Centre in Nikao.
Loss of land leads to common assault
Monday 13 January 2014 | Published in Crime
A 45-year-old man has been sentenced to 12 months probation for an assault resulting from anger at the loss of family land.
Accused told to cut back on drinking after bike crash
Friday 3 January 2014 | Published in Crime
The High Court on December 19 was presided over by Justice of the Peace Carmen Temata.
Re-offender 'will have Christmas pudding in jail'
Monday 30 December 2013 | Published in Crime
The High Court on December 19 was presided over by Justice of the Peace Carmen Temata, who made the following judgements: Teremoana Saddler, 23, was sent back into prison because police could not trust him to behave over the holiday period, after he committed a trespass offence the day he was released on bail three weeks ago.
Assault appeal leads to conviction
Monday 30 December 2013 | Published in Crime
A Fijian man, who initially had a charge of assault on a female dismissed by the court, has been sentenced to 12 months’ probation with the first six months community service.
Justice will be served over the festive season
Tuesday 24 December 2013 | Published in Crime
Just because you are on holiday, it doesn’t mean the justice system is too. During the Christmas and New Year period the police and court house will continue to operate, with the High Court justices or the deputy registrar being on call to deal with any arrests. In past years most offences included drunken driving, […]
Offshore finance industry draws international headlines
Saturday 21 December 2013 | Published in Crime
The nation’s offshore financial sector has been put in the international spotlight after being described as “a paradise of untouchable assets”. In a recently published article in The New York Times, journalist Leslie Wayne describes the Cooks as “…a global pioneer in offshore asset-protection trusts, with laws devised to protect foreigners’ assets from legal claims […]
Machete attacker pleads guilty
Saturday 21 December 2013 | Published in Crime
An elderly man who lashed out with a machete and wounded another man in Mitiaro has pleaded guilty but claims his actions were in self-defence. Kapiri Ngatoko, who celebrates his 80th birthday today, has appeared at the High Court in Mitiaro and admitted to a charge of wounding with intent. The attack on December 4 […]
Santa Parade shaping up
Saturday 14 December 2013 | Published in Crime
A tropical Santa Parade is shaping up to be a fun and bright event for all through the main street in Avarua on Thursday, December 19. The Tropical Christmas community group are keen to emulate the popular Santa Parades through the main cities of New Zealand and Australia with lots of colour, characters and of […]
Woman convicted of breach told not to rely on police
Wednesday 11 December 2013 | Published in Crime
The High Court on December 5 was presided over by Justice of the Peace Carmen Temata, who made the following judgements: Crystal Arona, 22, entered a plea of guilty to a charge of breach of community service despite providing a legitimate excuse for not showing up. Her explanation was that she was called for interviewing […]
Fate of Murienua seat unknown
Wednesday 11 December 2013 | Published in Crime
An announcement from parliament declaring the Murienua seat vacant is needed before another by-election can be called, says a justice official. On Friday, Cook Islands Party candidate Kaota Tuariki – who won a September by-election – tendered his resignation for the Murienua seat only days before a scheduled court hearing concerning a petition filed by […]
Petition hearing cancelled after resignation
Monday 9 December 2013 | Published in Crime
A court proceeding scheduled to begin today concerning an electoral petition by Democratic Party candidate James Beer has been cancelled. This came after Friday’s sudden resignation of CIP candidate and Murienua by-election winner Kaota Tuariki. On Friday, Tuariki announced his resignation as the “winning candidate for the Murienua Constituency seat”, saying “ … the people […]