A 56-year-old Rarotonga man accused of murdering his stepson, 29, has been bailed to a relative’s house.

Metuamoetai Takaitu appeared before Chief Justice Patrick Keane in the High Court on Tuesday. He faces a charge of murder.

Defence counsel Lavi Rokoika told the Court that although there was no way Takaitu could be bailed to his former home address where the act was alleged to have taken place, she suggested a relative’s address.

“He is willing to surrender his travel documents and agree to non-consumption of alcohol,” Rokoika told the Court.

Rokoika said because of Takaitu’s work as a fisherman, he would like a curfew of 9pm to 6am.

Crown counsel Jamie Crawford said its first approach was to oppose bail, but if it went ahead, the Crown would like Takaitu to have non-association orders with all of the relevant witnesses.

Crawford said the matter was at a “sensitive” stage, and the relationships involved made things “complicated”.

Chief Justice Keane also expressed concern about Takaitu’s history of alcohol consumption, and said that needed to be monitored.

Chief Justice Keane allowed Takaitu to be remanded on bail, pending memoranda detailing the proposed conditions, which the Crown and his defence counsel would agree upon.

The matter was adjourned to later this week.

Last week, Police said a 56-year-old man had been charged with murder as investigation continues into a homicide incident involving a 29-year-old man who was fatally stabbed on May 13.

Police were called to the scene at a Tutakimoa residence to find the man had succumbed to a knifing.

The accused was taken to Police Headquarters on Monday morning (May 15) after being released from medical treatment and was remanded in custody facing a murder charge.