A man blew nearly five times the legal drink driving limit following an incident outside police headquarters on Rarotonga earlier this month.

Luke Te Ariki Cutler appeared in the Criminal Court on Thursday on charges of excess breath alcohol and careless driving.

The court heard on August 19 just after 12 noon, in front of police headquarters in Avarua, Cutler rode a motorcycle into the back of a truck.

The defendant had consumed vodka earlier in the day and gone for a swim before heading into Avarua.

He travelled too close to the truck in front and into the rear of it at the pedestrian crossing.

He escaped injury, but there was damage to the motorcycle.

When breath tested, he blew 1190 micrograms per litre of breath.

He admitted the facts, was disqualified from driving for 12 months, fined $400 and ordered to pay $100 court costs for the two charges.

In other matters heard in the Criminal Court on Thursday, August 24.   

Bench warrant

A bench warrant was issued for Papa Tamaruanui Tavini O Te Atua Ama on a charge of wilful trespass.

The court heard the defendant had gone to New Zealand.

Partial driver licence granted

Teinakore Raymond Tererui was granted an application for a partial driver licence.

The court heard he worked for To Tatou Vai. He had had been disqualified from driving in October 2022 and a letter of support had been received from his supervisor.

It was confirmed Tererui was sometimes responsible for responding to emergency situations and police did not object to the application, provided he had jobs sheets available. He was granted a partial licence between 6am and 6.30pm, Monday to Friday.

Name suppression continues

A man facing a charge of assaulting a female has continued name suppression.

He appeared before Justice of the Peace Nadine Newnham in the Criminal Court on Thursday, August 24, where his lawyer Lavi Rokoika said there had been ongoing discussion about diversion.

JP Newnham asked the age of the complainant, and what the reason was for suppression.

Rokoika said it was for the protection of the complainant.

If diversion was successful, it would be unfair to all parties if names were published, she said.

Police did not oppose name suppression.

The matter was adjourned to October 5.

Sour taste in lemon case

An ongoing matter involving lemons is yet to be resolved. 

Paulo Tekotia Enoka Teio was called on a charge of theft when his lawyer Mark Short said he was still seeking a letter of confirmation from the complainant to confirm the matter had been resolved.

The defendant had asked the complainant if he could have some lemons, and then the complainant found out through someone else, that the defendant had sold the lemons, Short said.

Short said the defendant had paid the complainant $200, but it was still a matter of getting a letter of confirmation.

The matter was adjourned to September 7.