Conflict of interest

Ngatokorua William had his case adjourned because of a conflict of interest with the Justice of the Peace in the Criminal Court at Avarua.

William appeared on Thursday charged with excess breath alcohol and careless driving.

JP Vania Kenning told the court there was a conflict of interest but did not say what her relationship with the defendant was.

Police told the JP the conflict probably would not matter because the penalty for excess breath alcohol were already set if William pleaded guilty.

JP Kenning started to proceed with the matter but changed her mind.

“Just to remove myself from any public criticism or anything like that we are going to adjourn,” the JP said.

The matter is adjourned for November 17.

Waiting for blood results

A woman caught twice over the legal breath alcohol limit is waiting on blood results.

Tarusila Natalawa charged with excess breath alcohol appeared in the Criminal Court at Avarua on Thursday.

The court heard on November 5 she had 660 micrograms (mcg) of alcohol per litre of breath. The legal limit is 250 micrograms per litre of breath.

However, Police asked to adjourn the matter because they were still waiting on the blood alcohol results.

Justice of the Peace Vania Kenning adjourned the matter for November 17.

Case moves to High Court

Roimata Pekepo pleaded guilty to careless driving causing injury in the Criminal Court at Avarua.

Justice of the Peace Vania Kenning moved the matter to the High Court because of the seriousness of the charge.

“It’s outside of my jurisdiction it will go to the judge, so prosecution is recommending you do get a lawyer,” the JP said.

Police asked for Pekepo to hand in her passport as part of bail conditions.

The matter is adjourned to a date to be set by court staff.

Guilty to EBA

Tangitoru Tangimetua pleaded guilty to excess breath alcohol in the Criminal Court at Avarua on Thursday.

The court heard Tangimetua was caught over the legal limit on November 5.

Justice of the Peace Vania Kenning convicted and fined Tangimetua $480 plus an additional $50 to cover court costs.

Tangimetua was disqualified from driving for 12 months.

Discharged without conviction

Normar Maarateina was discharged without conviction after pleading guilty to careless driving in the Criminal Court on Thursday.

The court heard on October 5 Maarateina reversed her car out of a parking space by BSP and hit another car causing $890 of damage.

Maarateina asked the JP to be discharged without conviction.

She said it was her first appearance in the Criminal Court, she had already paid for the damage and had given the victim a written letter of apology.

Justice of the Peace Vania Kenning discharged Maarateina without conviction but has asked for $50 court costs.