A woman facing a theft as a servant charge has been excused from appearing in court.

Defence lawyer Mark Short asked that Tekura Davina Areai be excused when her name was called in the Criminal Court on Thursday.

Short said she had contacted him and said she could not make it to court as she was caring for children.

He said an accountant had been engaged to investigate and report identified anomalies, and he had asked the defendant to meet with the accountant in order to make a case for police to look at.

Short said he would make sure Areai met with the accountant as he was concerned there were differing amounts in a number of other cases.

The matter was adjourned to May 11. 

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Sharmiana Alexandra Thompson faces strict bail conditions after appearing in court on eight theft as a servant charges. 

Thompson was told in the Criminal Court on Thursday that she had to surrender her passport, not leave the Cook Islands without permission, not to apply for a new passport and report to Police every Friday between 5 and 6pm.

Defence lawyer Mark Short said he appeared to have an empty file and was awaiting disclosure.

He said the matter was taking a long time as Police said it was a big amount.

Police did not oppose bail but asked for the conditions.

Justice of the Peace Vania Kenning told Thompson to surrender her passport, not leave the Cook Islands without permission, not to apply for a new passport, and report to Police every Friday between 5 and 6pm.

The matter was adjourned to June 1.

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A motorist has entered a guilty plea to an amended charge of careless driving.

Oirua Tini appeared in the High Court on Friday on a charge of careless driving causing injury.

Crown lawyer Jamie Crawford said the charge would be amended to careless driving, and a guilty plea was then entered.

The court heard on January 18, 2021, Tini, in a car, entered the roundabout at Avatiu, coming from the Arorangi direction, and didn’t look.

His vehicle hit a motorcycle carrying two people, who both sustained injuries.

Chief Justice Patrick Keane said he would return the matter to the Criminal Court and a date for sentencing would be fixed.