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Fatality case in court
Audiball and Aquanaughties hit their straps
Court hears Operation Eagle cases
17-year-old remanded in prison
Former political candidate admits assault
Convicted of stealing cash
Fatality case in court
Sat
1 Oct
A 21-year-old involved in the motor vehicle accident that killed Boye Nicholas has been convicted of drink-driving.
Papaturua Maretapu, a kitchen hand at Trader Jacks Bar and Restaurant, appeared in the Cook Islands High Court at Avarua before Justice of the Peace Pae Tuteru on Thursday.
He had already admitted one charge of driving with an excess blood alcohol level at Atupa on July 2.
Police say Maretapu was driving a Honda Daelim motorcycle on the back road towards Nikao when Nicholas, travelling in the opposite direction on another motorcycle, veered into
Maretapus path and caused a crash.
Both men were taken to Rarotonga hospital where samples of their blood were taken and analysed for alcohol content.
Nicholas died as a result of his injuries sustained in the crash.
Maretapu was found to have 236.3 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood.
He suffered fractures and other minor injuries from the incident.
The maximum penalty for driving with an excess blood alcohol level is 12 months in jail or a $1000 fine.
The charge also carries a mandatory drivers licence disqualification for at least 12 months.
Defence counsel Wilkie Rasmussen says Maretapu is extremely regretful and remorseful about what happened.
It is his first offence.
In general he is a very good boy and comes from a very good family. However, as young people do sometimes he engaged in drinking and perhaps enjoyed himself too much.
Of course sometimes the consequences of such activities are quite severe, Rasmussen says.
Maretapu was fined $200 and ordered to pay $150 for his blood analysis as well as court costs of $30.
He is disqualified from driving or holding a drivers licence for 12 months and must surrender his current licence to the registrar of the court.
Maretapu has three months to pay the $150 medical bill.
A 21-year-old involved in the motor vehicle accident that killed Boye Nicholas has been convicted of drink-driving.
Papaturua Maretapu, a kitchen hand at Trader Jacks Bar and Restaurant, appeared in the Cook Islands High Court at Avarua before Justice of the Peace Pae Tuteru on Thursday.
He had already admitted one charge of driving with an excess blood alcohol level at Atupa on July 2.
Police say Maretapu was driving a Honda Daelim motorcycle on the back road towards Nikao when Nicholas, travelling in the opposite direction on another motorcycle, veered into
Maretapus path and caused a crash.
Both men were taken to Rarotonga hospital where samples of their blood were taken and analysed for alcohol content.
Nicholas died as a result of his injuries sustained in the crash.
Maretapu was found to have 236.3 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood.
He suffered fractures and other minor injuries from the incident.
The maximum penalty for driving with an excess blood alcohol level is 12 months in jail or a $1000 fine.
The charge also carries a mandatory drivers licence disqualification for at least 12 months.
Defence counsel Wilkie Rasmussen says Maretapu is extremely regretful and remorseful about what happened.
It is his first offence.
In general he is a very good boy and comes from a very good family. However, as young people do sometimes he engaged in drinking and perhaps enjoyed himself too much.
Of course sometimes the consequences of such activities are quite severe, Rasmussen says.
Maretapu was fined $200 and ordered to pay $150 for his blood analysis as well as court costs of $30.
He is disqualified from driving or holding a drivers licence for 12 months and must surrender his current licence to the registrar of the court.
Maretapu has three months to pay the $150 medical bill.
Audiball and Aquanaughties hit their straps
Tue
4 Oct
Last Tuesday saw week 2 of the Turtles Mixed Business House Basketball Competition.
At 6pm Audiball and cookislandstravel.com were on the court ready to go. Both teams struggled to find their rhythms at the start, but after a while they were basket for basket.
At the 10 minute mark Audiball started stretching its lead with some quick fast breaks and cookislandstravel.com put on some fresh legs but Audiball continued building on its lead. Despite their will to win, cookislandstravel.com found it hard to hit their shots and by halftime it was 22-6 to Audiball.
The second half of the game saw both teams trading basket for basket again, but the gap wasnt closing, despite Elma Browns last-minute scoring spree. Ultimately Audiball prevailed, 40-24.
At 6.50pm it was game time for Moana Sands and Pacific Aquanaughties.
Both teams got off to a great start. Pacific Aquanaughties initially nudged ahead but 10 minutes in, the score was even.
With 6 minutes left in the half, Pacific Aquanaughties called a timeout to re-group. Whatever was said by Steve Lyon worked, they scored 3 straight baskets, bringing the score to 14-10. The Philippine connection kept Moana Sands in the game, by half time the score was 17-12, Aquanaughties.
Part two of the game started as strong as the first then Pacific Aquanaughties Jess Cramp hit a 3 pointer pushing their lead by 6 points.
Pacific Aquanaughties continuous fast break strategy also took its toll and finally Moana Sands acquiesced 28-49 Pacific Aquanaughties.
The final game of the evening at 7.40pm was Airport Jets vs Chipmunks.
From tip-off the Chipmunks took advantage of Airport Jets who were struggling to organise their game play.
Four fast breaks later the Chipmunks were 8 points ahead. Ten minutes later the Chipmunks called a timeout to take a breather after a chat (and maybe for some nuts for energy) they returned to court and were hitting their shots with ease, by halftime Chipmunks were ahead 23-4.
The second half saw re-born Jets, converting 7 straight baskets and seemingly closing the gap, but despite a brilliant second half (Jets clocked 17 points compared to Chipmunks 11) the first half margin (Jets 4, Chipmunks 23) was just too wide. Final score Chipmunks 34, Jets 21.
Tonight is Week 3 of the Turtles Basketball Mixed Business House Competition. Games start at 6pm with Moana Sands vs cookislandstravel.com. At 6.50pm its Airport Jets vs Audiball and at 7.40pm its Chipmunks vs Pacific Aquanaughties. Everyone is welcome.
Last Tuesday saw week 2 of the Turtles Mixed Business House Basketball Competition.
At 6pm Audiball and cookislandstravel.com were on the court ready to go. Both teams struggled to find their rhythms at the start, but after a while they were basket for basket.
At the 10 minute mark Audiball started stretching its lead with some quick fast breaks and cookislandstravel.com put on some fresh legs but Audiball continued building on its lead. Despite their will to win, cookislandstravel.com found it hard to hit their shots and by halftime it was 22-6 to Audiball.
The second half of the game saw both teams trading basket for basket again, but the gap wasnt closing, despite Elma Browns last-minute scoring spree. Ultimately Audiball prevailed, 40-24.
At 6.50pm it was game time for Moana Sands and Pacific Aquanaughties.
Both teams got off to a great start. Pacific Aquanaughties initially nudged ahead but 10 minutes in, the score was even.
With 6 minutes left in the half, Pacific Aquanaughties called a timeout to re-group. Whatever was said by Steve Lyon worked, they scored 3 straight baskets, bringing the score to 14-10. The Philippine connection kept Moana Sands in the game, by half time the score was 17-12, Aquanaughties.
Part two of the game started as strong as the first then Pacific Aquanaughties Jess Cramp hit a 3 pointer pushing their lead by 6 points.
Pacific Aquanaughties continuous fast break strategy also took its toll and finally Moana Sands acquiesced 28-49 Pacific Aquanaughties.
The final game of the evening at 7.40pm was Airport Jets vs Chipmunks.
From tip-off the Chipmunks took advantage of Airport Jets who were struggling to organise their game play.
Four fast breaks later the Chipmunks were 8 points ahead. Ten minutes later the Chipmunks called a timeout to take a breather after a chat (and maybe for some nuts for energy) they returned to court and were hitting their shots with ease, by halftime Chipmunks were ahead 23-4.
The second half saw re-born Jets, converting 7 straight baskets and seemingly closing the gap, but despite a brilliant second half (Jets clocked 17 points compared to Chipmunks 11) the first half margin (Jets 4, Chipmunks 23) was just too wide. Final score Chipmunks 34, Jets 21.
Tonight is Week 3 of the Turtles Basketball Mixed Business House Competition. Games start at 6pm with Moana Sands vs cookislandstravel.com. At 6.50pm its Airport Jets vs Audiball and at 7.40pm its Chipmunks vs Pacific Aquanaughties. Everyone is welcome.
Court hears Operation Eagle cases
Wed
5 Oct
Tomorrow will be a busy day in the Cook Islands High Court at Avarua.
All 11 remaining Operation Eagle defendants are due to be called in the court before a single justice of the peace.
Their cases are likely to be further adjourned, as evidence is still being analysed in offshore laboratories and obtained by local police and prosecutors.
Once all evidence is available it must then be disclosed to defence counsels in order for pleas to be entered to charges.
It is also likely the Operation Eagle cases will form part of a trial, or multiple trials, and any such court fixtures will not take place until next year due to a full court schedule.
Tupapa woman Yvonne Quarter is also due to be called in the court tomorrow.
Initially she was remanded on bail to October 10 for re-sentencing in the Court of Appeal, but fixture dates have been changed.
Quarter is now likely to be re-sentenced in late November when the Court of Appeal will sit for one week from November 28, and tomorrows call-over is to confirm a date and time for that to occur.
Earlier this year Quarter admitted stealing $30,000 from Air Rarotonga over a period of 18 months while she worked for the airline.
She was sentenced to a year in jail, but successfully appealed that sentence on the grounds she had given birth just 10 days before her incarceration.
Among other cases due to be called in court tomorrow are one against a teenage male charged with indecently assaulting a young girl, and a Ngatangiia man in his forties charged with raping a woman.
Tomorrow will be a busy day in the Cook Islands High Court at Avarua.
All 11 remaining Operation Eagle defendants are due to be called in the court before a single justice of the peace.
Their cases are likely to be further adjourned, as evidence is still being analysed in offshore laboratories and obtained by local police and prosecutors.
Once all evidence is available it must then be disclosed to defence counsels in order for pleas to be entered to charges.
It is also likely the Operation Eagle cases will form part of a trial, or multiple trials, and any such court fixtures will not take place until next year due to a full court schedule.
Tupapa woman Yvonne Quarter is also due to be called in the court tomorrow.
Initially she was remanded on bail to October 10 for re-sentencing in the Court of Appeal, but fixture dates have been changed.
Quarter is now likely to be re-sentenced in late November when the Court of Appeal will sit for one week from November 28, and tomorrows call-over is to confirm a date and time for that to occur.
Earlier this year Quarter admitted stealing $30,000 from Air Rarotonga over a period of 18 months while she worked for the airline.
She was sentenced to a year in jail, but successfully appealed that sentence on the grounds she had given birth just 10 days before her incarceration.
Among other cases due to be called in court tomorrow are one against a teenage male charged with indecently assaulting a young girl, and a Ngatangiia man in his forties charged with raping a woman.
17-year-old remanded in prison
Wed
5 Oct
Seventeen-year-old Joshua Koteka of Ngatangiia has been remanded in custody until October 27, when he will come before a judge in the Cook Islands High Court at Avarua.
Koteka was called in the court before three justices of the peace on Wednesday. (September 28)
He did not appear in the dock and his appearance was excused, as well as that of defence counsel Wilkie Rasmussen.
Police prosecutor senior sergeant Ruth Hosking-Tane says Koteka faces two new charges of being unlawfully found on property, and that is the basis for polices recommendation for him to be remanded in custody.
Koteka also faces five charges of supplying cannabis, possessing cannabis, possessing a utensil used to smoke cannabis and threatening to kill.
The court has asked for a psychiatric report to be completed on Koteka in relation to whether he is mentally fit to enter pleas to the charges.
Koteka was remanded on bail when apprehended for the two new charges and Hosk-
ing-Tane says he needs to be locked in prison for his own safety as well as that of the community.
Koteka is on medication but does not take it at his parents request, and they are unable to control him, Hosking-Tane says.
They fear for their safety and for tourists staying at various accommodation in Ngatangiia because one of the new charges relates to Koteka being found in an enclosed unit of the Muri Beach Resort.
He hid behind hedges and scared tourists when they walked into the property.
While remanded in prison Koteka will be made to take his medication and will be visited by doctor Rangi Fariu who will complete a psychiatric report before Kotekas next court appearance.
Seventeen-year-old Joshua Koteka of Ngatangiia has been remanded in custody until October 27, when he will come before a judge in the Cook Islands High Court at Avarua.
Koteka was called in the court before three justices of the peace on Wednesday. (September 28)
He did not appear in the dock and his appearance was excused, as well as that of defence counsel Wilkie Rasmussen.
Police prosecutor senior sergeant Ruth Hosking-Tane says Koteka faces two new charges of being unlawfully found on property, and that is the basis for polices recommendation for him to be remanded in custody.
Koteka also faces five charges of supplying cannabis, possessing cannabis, possessing a utensil used to smoke cannabis and threatening to kill.
The court has asked for a psychiatric report to be completed on Koteka in relation to whether he is mentally fit to enter pleas to the charges.
Koteka was remanded on bail when apprehended for the two new charges and Hosk-
ing-Tane says he needs to be locked in prison for his own safety as well as that of the community.
Koteka is on medication but does not take it at his parents request, and they are unable to control him, Hosking-Tane says.
They fear for their safety and for tourists staying at various accommodation in Ngatangiia because one of the new charges relates to Koteka being found in an enclosed unit of the Muri Beach Resort.
He hid behind hedges and scared tourists when they walked into the property.
While remanded in prison Koteka will be made to take his medication and will be visited by doctor Rangi Fariu who will complete a psychiatric report before Kotekas next court appearance.
Former political candidate admits assault
Wed
5 Oct
Prominent Rarotonga businessman and former political candidate Sam Crocombe has admitted assaulting Nikao resident Wilfred Dauvois.
Crocombe appeared before Justice of the Peace Pae Tuteru in the Cook Islands High Court at Avarua on September 29 and entered a guilty plea to his one charge of common assault.
Crocombe, who owns Raro Safari Tours, is further remanded at large to October 13 when he will next appear in the court for sentencing, for which a probation report has been ordered.
In another high profile case, JP John Kenning has reserved his decision about whether immigration director Kave Ringi is guilty of refusing to undergo a breath alcohol test.
Ringi appeared in the court before JP Kenning on September 27, defending the charge which relates to a 2009 incident.
At the close of trial JP Kenning reserved his decision, which means Ringi is further remanded on bail.
It is not known when a verdict in the case will be made.
JP Kenning also presided over the defended hearing of 62-year-old Tupapa supervisor Daniel Numa, who denied two charges of driving with an excess breath alcohol level of 670 micrograms and driving while disqualified at Tupapa on May 23 last year.
JP Kenning withdrew the drink-driving charge and dismissed the other charge of disqualified driving, leaving Numa free to leave the court.
Prominent Rarotonga businessman and former political candidate Sam Crocombe has admitted assaulting Nikao resident Wilfred Dauvois.
Crocombe appeared before Justice of the Peace Pae Tuteru in the Cook Islands High Court at Avarua on September 29 and entered a guilty plea to his one charge of common assault.
Crocombe, who owns Raro Safari Tours, is further remanded at large to October 13 when he will next appear in the court for sentencing, for which a probation report has been ordered.
In another high profile case, JP John Kenning has reserved his decision about whether immigration director Kave Ringi is guilty of refusing to undergo a breath alcohol test.
Ringi appeared in the court before JP Kenning on September 27, defending the charge which relates to a 2009 incident.
At the close of trial JP Kenning reserved his decision, which means Ringi is further remanded on bail.
It is not known when a verdict in the case will be made.
JP Kenning also presided over the defended hearing of 62-year-old Tupapa supervisor Daniel Numa, who denied two charges of driving with an excess breath alcohol level of 670 micrograms and driving while disqualified at Tupapa on May 23 last year.
JP Kenning withdrew the drink-driving charge and dismissed the other charge of disqualified driving, leaving Numa free to leave the court.
Convicted of stealing cash
Wed
5 Oct
For stealing hundreds of dollars in cash from three properties, 17-year-old Witamahema Metuakore has been convicted, ordered to come up for sentence if called upon within six months and made to pay reparation of $130.
Metuakore appeared in the Cook Islands High Court at Avarua before three justices of the peace last Wednesday.
She had previously admitted three charges of burglary, of the Kavera meeting house as well as two residences in February.
Metuakore stole $300 in cash from the meeting house but had already repaid the money when she appeared in court for sentencing.
Because of her young age and status as a student at the Hospitality and Tourism Training Centre in Turangi, Metuakore was treated leniently by the court.
JP Bernice Manarangi told Metuakore she was being given one last chance, and not to throw it away.
Metuakore has two months to pay reparation to the court.
Walter Strickland also appeared before the three JPs last Wednesday, when he was due to be sentenced on five charges of burglary and theft.
He has already admitted the charges of theft of Jim Beam and vodka by finding, theft of $140, breaking into and entering a Tupapa property and taking a laptop, stealing another laptop, and stealing $150.
Defence counsel Charles Petero says Strickland prefers to be sentenced by a judge and accordingly his case has been adjourned until October 20.
For stealing hundreds of dollars in cash from three properties, 17-year-old Witamahema Metuakore has been convicted, ordered to come up for sentence if called upon within six months and made to pay reparation of $130.
Metuakore appeared in the Cook Islands High Court at Avarua before three justices of the peace last Wednesday.
She had previously admitted three charges of burglary, of the Kavera meeting house as well as two residences in February.
Metuakore stole $300 in cash from the meeting house but had already repaid the money when she appeared in court for sentencing.
Because of her young age and status as a student at the Hospitality and Tourism Training Centre in Turangi, Metuakore was treated leniently by the court.
JP Bernice Manarangi told Metuakore she was being given one last chance, and not to throw it away.
Metuakore has two months to pay reparation to the court.
Walter Strickland also appeared before the three JPs last Wednesday, when he was due to be sentenced on five charges of burglary and theft.
He has already admitted the charges of theft of Jim Beam and vodka by finding, theft of $140, breaking into and entering a Tupapa property and taking a laptop, stealing another laptop, and stealing $150.
Defence counsel Charles Petero says Strickland prefers to be sentenced by a judge and accordingly his case has been adjourned until October 20.
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