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Court briefs

Monday 19 June 2023 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Court, Crime, National

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Court briefs

Simiona Maihia facing drink driving and careless driving charges appeared before Justice of the Peace Nadine Newnham at the Criminal Court in Avarua on Thursday last week.

The matter has been adjourned to August 29 for sentencing.

Police prosecutor, senior sergeant Fairoa Tararo said this was not Maihia’s first traffic offence and asked for the matter to be adjourned to a one JP sentencing and probation report.

Maihia faces a charge of excess blood alcohol with a reading of 360 micrograms and a charge of careless driving. He was arrested on May 28, this year in Ruatoga.

He admitted to the charges.

JP Newnham adjourned the matter and ordered the defendant not to consume alcohol or enter any liquor licence premises.

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Taomia Katuke admitted to careless driving and excess breath alcohol.

The court heard, Katuke drove a motorcycle on June 10 on a public road.

A crash was reported to police at 2.45am in Arorangi where the defendant had crashed. He had an excess blood alcohol reading of 140 micrograms.

JP Nadine Newnham acknowledged Katuke’s early guilty plea and convicted and sentenced him to 12 months disqualification of his driver’s license, to pay $150 reparation for blood analysis, $50 court cost and a $50 fine for careless driving.

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Semesa Nalalakiwai was advised to seek legal counsel due to the serious charges he was facing.

Nalalakiwai is facing two counts of assault on a female and a charge of wilful damage.

JP Nadine Newnham adjourned the matter to August 17 with bail conditions.

Nalalakiwai was ordered to surrender his passport and not leave Rarotonga, not to consume or purchase alcohol and not to enter any liquor license premises.

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Police confirmed there was a minor crash at Vaima restaurant, Titikaveka involving three vehicles around 9.30pm on Wednesday.

Spokesperson Trevor Pitt said a 28-year-old drunk driver was arrested and bailed. The driver, a motorcyclist, had an excess breath alcohol reading of 710 micrograms. The driver is to appear in court this Wednesday.