A man facing assault with intent to injure charges has been declined name suppression.

JP Whitta declines application for name suppression

A man facing assault with intent to injure charges has been declined name suppression.

Alfred Manu appeared in the Criminal Court in Avarua on Thursday where Justice of the Peace John Whitta told him he was facing a serious charge in light of his application for name suppression.

“You need to make a proper application, name suppression is a privilege, the bar for name suppression is very high,” JP Whitta said.

“You are charged with a serious crime, you haven’t entered a plea yet.”

The court heard, Manu, a landscaper, was being represented by Rarotonga lawyer Mark Short, who was not in court.

Police asked for an adjournment without a plea, and did not oppose bail.

It was recommended Manu not contact the victim, not consume alcohol, not enter licenced premises, not offer any violence, surrender his passport to the police, and report to police weekly.

JP Whitta told Manu he was not to interfere with the complainant, not consume alcohol, not to engage in violence, surrender his passport and report to police every Friday.

“Any contact with the complainant includes written and electronic contact.”

Partial licence

Leighton Boaza was granted a partial driver licence when he appeared yesterday.

Police said they had no objections while Justice of the Peace John Whitta said, in working unusual hours, Boaza would be advised to always carry paperwork with him.  

“Normally we ask for specific hours.”

Drink driving

Sanualio Samita appeared on careless and drink driving charges in the Criminal Court yesterday.

The court heard on December 17, 2022, he carelessly drove a motorcycle above the legal drink driving limit.

Justice of the Peace John Whitta told him he didn’t need to enter a plea and said he needed time to talk to a lawyer.

The matter was adjourned to March 2.