Justice of the Peace Georgina Williams presided over several alcohol related matters at the Criminal Court in Avarua on Thursday, August 17.

A man who was found drunk along the Avatiu Marina was discharged without a conviction.

Ngatokotoru Makara pleaded guilty to the charge for being drunk in a public place. On August 12 he was seen by police causing trouble at the Avatiu Marina. The court heard that he was heavily intoxicated and was picked up in a police vehicle.

Justice of the Peace Georgina Williams told Makara she hoped he had learnt his lesson after spending a night in police custody.

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An excess blood alcohol charge against Ngatokorua Tonorio has been withdrawn due to technical grounds.

Tonorio instead admitted to the charge of careless driving, whereby on June 8 he carelessly drove a motor vehicle on the main road in Tupapa and was involved in a crash.

Police prosecutor Senior Sergeant Fairoa Tararo said the crash happened in the early hours of June 8. Tonorio had been drinking at the Hula Bar and On The Rocks nightclub before falling asleep at the wheel.

The EBA reading was low and no cost for damages was sought.

Justice of the Peace Georgina Williams said Tonorio was lucky to be alive and discharged him without conviction, but ordered him to pay $50 in court costs.

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Maru Mataora was ordered to pay a fine of $300, including $150 for blood analysis and $50 court cost for the charges of excess blood alcohol.

Mataora had admitted to the charge.

The court heard on August 5 at 2am a crash was reported in Nikao near the seawall. Mataora had been driving from Nikao towards Arorangi. Mataora’s blood alcohol level was 308 milligrams.

A disqualification from driving or holding a driver’s license for 12 months was also imposed.

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Ngatamine Ona admitted to the charge of excess breath alcohol through lawyer Mark Short.

On April 1 she was stopped by police in front of the Police Headquarters in Avarua.

She was breathlysed and the reading was 520 micrograms. She was ordered to pay a fine of $250, $50 court cost and was disqualified from driving for 12-months.