A man facing a charge of common assault has been granted bail to his grandfather’s house.

Tereanu Teava appeared before Justice of the Peace Tangi Taoro in the Criminal Court in Avarua on Thursday last week.

He had previously been remanded in custody. He has yet to enter a plea on his charge of common assault.

Defence Counsel Mona Ioane told the Court that Teava desired to be bailed to his grandfather’s address, with his mother checking up on him regularly.

His mother told the Court that she acknowledged that Teava had not been keeping to his curfew and was on a “last chance”. However, she said Teava needed mental health assistance.

“I don’t think prison is the place for him,” she said.

Ioane agreed, saying they should investigate the possibility of Teava staying at the Te Puna Tiaki – Wellness Unit at Rarotonga Hospital.

The new wellness unit should be open for patients this week, Cook Islands News has been told.

Teava asked JP Taoro if she could place a 7pm to 7am curfew on him. JP Taoro agreed.

She granted Teava bail to his grandfather’s home, and adjourned the case to June 8.

As well as the curfew, other bail conditions included to report to the mental health clinic every Friday, not to consume or purchase alcohol, and not to enter licenced premises.