A man charged with common assault and assaulting a female is disputing the charges.

Daniel Tupou Ahau appeared in the Criminal Court on Thursday where his lawyer Mark Short said there was an issue with the facts.

Short said he was considering applying for a facts dispute hearing.

His client and a co-defendant had made a complaint to police but it appeared nothing had been done, Short said.

The pair were involved in an altercation and it appeared police had taken one side, the lawyer claimed.

In going through disclosure there was CCTV footage and other things Short wanted to look at.

His client was due to fly out of Rarotonga on Friday and was not a flight risk as he managed a business here, Short said.

Police were happy for the matter to be adjourned.

Justice of the Peace John Whitta asked if a date should be chosen for a case review.

Police said if that was the case then a not guilty plea should be entered.

Short then asked for the matter to be adjourned so he could look at the evidence properly.

Short said he wanted a dispute hearing and wanted CCTV footage and statements to look over.

JP Whitta asked if Ahau was disputing the common assault and assault on female charges.

Short said that appeared to be the case.

JP Whitta then suggested there should be a defended hearing.

“If he believes he is innocent then we go to a defended hearing.”

Short said he would make sure he had all the evidence he needed.

The matter was adjourned to May 11 for a case review.

It was a similar case for Ahau’s co-accused Turuariki Baxter who appeared in court straight after him.

Baxter was called to the stand on a charge of common assault.

Short said he had accepted a defended hearing.

JP Whitta said the matter was part of an incident involving a group of people and adjourned it to May 11 for a case review.