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28 hearings in criminal court
28 hearings in criminal court
Wed
27 Jan
Justice of the Peace Dorice Reid presided over 28 hearings last Thursday, ranging in nature from careless driving to assisting an escape from prison.
Most cases were adjourned to later dates, as legal counsel Norman George said he has just returned to the island and has not had sufficient time to meet with his clients.
Daisey Ama -- charged with theft. Did not appear for hearing but no warrant was issued. Legal counsel Norman George requested that the case be adjourned to Feburary 4.
Marcus Kamana -- callover for possession of cannabis, unlawful possession of a firearm and possession of an unregistered firearm. He has appeared in court twice and his case is pending disclosures from police. Legal counsel Norman George said that if on April 1 police have not gathered sufficient evidence, he will apply for the cases to be dismissed.
Andrew Temata -- charged with assisting an escape from prison. George’s request for name suppression was denied, and the defendant’s case was adjourned to February 4.
Donald Hallin -- charged with theft. Did not appear for hearing but no warrant was issued and George requested that case be adjourned to January 28.
Greer Solomon -- callover for careless driving and failing to stop and ascertain after an accident. Case adjourned to January 28.
Tevita Vakalalabure -- charged with intent to injure, endangering transport and threatening to kill. Did not appear for hearing but no warrant was issued. George requested that his case be adjourned to January 28.
Goodman Pirake -- charged with assault with intent. Case adjourned to April 12.
Tali Ofa -- charged with breach of probation. Case adjourned to March 25.
Terekimiora Katoa -- charged with common assault and importing cannabis. Case adjourned to February 4.
Eiao Baniani -- charged with theft as a servant. George asked the court to note that he would no longer represent the defendant, who lives on Aitutaki and is “hard to get in touch with”. Case was adjourned to February 4.
A woman charged with theft was granted a continuation of her name suppression condition. Case was adjourned to Feburary 4.
Paul Williams -- call-over for manslaughter, dangerous driving and excess breath alcohol. His bail conditions will continue until he re-appears in court on January 28.
Francis Dashwood -- charged with contempt of court. Case was adjourned to February 4.
Sean Browne -- charged with possession of cannabis and two counts of theft by finding. George’s request for name suppression was rejected, but his request for retraction of curfew was granted. The defendant entered no plea and will re-appear in court on February 4.
Joel Pokura -- charged with indecent assault. His case was adjourned to February 4 in order to give him enough time to seek new counsel.
Chantelle McKay -- callover for common assault charge. Did not appear in court and case was adjourned to April 8.
Wilfred Dauvois -- charged with excess stereo noise. George said that police are “completely confused” about the charge, and asked that the case be adjourned to January 28.
Teokotai Joseph Jnr -- pleaded guilty to an excess breath alcohol charge. Was convicted and fined $250 plus $30 court costs and disqualified from driving for 12 months.
Daniel Hewitt -- pleaded not guilty to assault on a female, not guilty to possession of cannabis, not guilty to possession of drug paraphernalia, not guilty to breach of probation conditions and not guilty to breaking and entering with intent to commit a crime. Retracted his initial not guilty plea and pleaded guilty to threatening to kill or do grievous bodily harm to a police officer. There are three additional outstanding charges on his recordcommon theft, unlawful taking of a motorcycle and fighting in a public place. Legal counsel Lavenia Rokoika withdrew from his case, so Hewitt is not legally represented at present. He will be remanded in prison until he re-appears in court on February 4.
Itio Matakino -- Pleaded guilty to three counts of burglary. He will be remanded in prison until he appears in court on February 8 for sentencing.
Huria Piho -- charged with common assault. Defendant told the court that his legal counsel, Tim Arnold, had advised him to request an adjournment. He will re-appear in court on March 4.
Metutamoeroa Tangatapoto -- charged with 17 counts of burglary. Case was adjourned to January 28.
Ina Pokino -- pleaded guilty to driving while disqualified on the main road in Tupapa. She was originally disqualified last April after being convicted of excess breath alcohol and was charged for disqualified driving in September, at which point the High Court disqualified her for another six months.
Reid convicted her and fined her $150 plus $30 court costs, and disqualified her from driving for yet another six months.
Richard Nooroa -- pleaded guilty to excess breath alcohol after admitting to police that he’d consumed more than nine cans of Victoria Bitter when he was pulled over near Avatiu. He was convicted and fined $300 plus $30 court costs and will be disqualified from driving for 12 months.
Travel Teariki Heather -- pleaded guilty to breach of probation conditions, which stipulated that he was not to enter a liquor licenced premises. Heather was sighted at Staircase on January 9. His employer testified that he is a reliable employee and seeking help for his drinking problem. He was convicted and fined $40 but $30 court costs.
Unuia Unuia -- pleaded guilty to a failing to stop (traffic) offence via a letter to the court.
A man who has been charged with common assault has had his case adjourned until February 18. He has name suppression until that date.
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