A man has pleaded not guilty to a charge of rape.

He appeared in the High Court at Avarua on Friday where Chief Justice Patrick Keane told him to return to the stand after he sat down next to his lawyer Michelle Tangimama.

The man has name suppression and is charged that on February 11, 2023 he had sexual intercourse with the victim without her consent.

CJ Keane said the charge needed to be set down as a matter of priority.

It would go to the September session, the Judge said, while Crown lawyer Jamie Crawford concurred, saying that would be the case given the nature of the offence.

CJ Keane said it would be heard by a jury.

Crawford said the trial would take about four days in the third week of September, she would need time to advise the alleged victim and witnesses.    

CJ Keane set the matter down for September 25.

Interpreter in court to assist man accused of attempted rape 

Teau Moana Tangi Taraiti required an interpreter in court when he appeared on attempted rape, theft, burglary, unlawfully found, unlawful taking and contempt charges.

Taraiti, in custody, appeared on single charges of attempted rape, unlawfully found, theft, and contempt, while there were three charges each of burglary and unlawful taking.

Lawyer Norman George said he was long way off from being able to proceed.

It had been very hard to get hold of people who could look after the defendant, the court heard.

George said Taraiti had three uncles on the island and that he had not heard from them.

Crown lawyer Jamie Crawford said there had been a request that the alleged victim be interviewed by video, by a specialist interviewer.

The Crown would then review the matter and confirm charges in relation to the offending.

No pleas had been taken.

The matter was adjourned to September 1.

Crown seeking seaman in fisheries inquiry  

Handfull Marine Company and Xu Dongpeng were called on fisheries related charges.

Both Handfull Marine and Dongpeng faces charges of making a material omission in a document, making a false statement in a document and two charges of fishing in a foreign country.

CJ Keane said he understood the vessel had passed through Cook Islands territorial waters and been noted. “Where is it now?”

Crown lawyer Jamie Crawford said that was unknown and that the vessel had been picked up 12 months ago via satellite in Papua New Guinea.

All information had been provided by the Ministry of Marine Resources, she said.

“It is not known where the boat is.

“We know where the owners are, they have been interviewed and are being co-operative.”

Crawford said it was “unknown waters” to some extent.

“I do understand they are being co-operative; it’s just a matter of us doing everything above board.”

CJ Keane said he had looked at the memorandum and that he would endorse service on an officer in Fiji.

“So as far as the master of the vessel, he could be anywhere in the world.”

Crawford said the master of the vessel no longer worked for the company and she would seek international assistance.

“Just for now, it’s in relation to the company.”

The matter was adjourned to October 27.