Justice of the Peace, Tangi Taoro presided over several cases on Thursday including the case of Aue Inangaro Tamariki Vakatini who is facing a charge of assault on a female with a history of similar cases.

In this case, last year on March 6, the case review was acquired by the police regarding a letter by the complainant. 

Because of the review, the police have decided to proceed with this matter and to arrest him. 

In 2017, he appeared before the court on a similar offence and was placed on 12-month probation.

Following that, in 2023, he again appeared before the court on a similar offending, where he was again placed on 12 months’ probation and community service – And now he stands before the court on a similar offending.

The charge was read out to the defendant and his right to a lawyer, and the defendant decided to seek for a lawyer. 

The matter has been adjourned to May 29, to allow the defendant time to look for a lawyer.

Defendant is released on previous bail conditions. 

Another case involves a young man facing a charge of burglary and is released on bail until his next appearance on May 15.

His defence lawyer, Jamie Crawford explained that they were hoping to be in a position to get into pleas on Thursday however, she understands there is a certain burden of charges with respect to that. 

On that basis, the defendant will be sitting in adjournment without plea.

The only other matter that was dealt with on Thursday regarding this case was in relation to his bail condition, which Crawford had spoken with the police about.

The defendant was given an employment opportunity at the Tupapa Factory, and he is residing in Tupapa.

The defence lawyer asked the court for the defendant’s curfew to be extended to 10pm instead of 7pm as his shift is between 4pm and 10pm.

The court granted the application by the defence counsel and the remaining previous conditions of his bail are to remain until his next appearance.

The matter was adjourned to May 15.

Another case involves a young female also granted a name suppression who is facing a charge of careless driving.

Her defence lawyer, Michelle Tangimama Robati asked the court to release her passport so she can travel to represent the country at an international football tournament until she returns.

This follows a memorandum from the Football Federation – JP Taoro approved the application to release her passport for this purpose until the day she returns from Tahiti.

Two other cases, which were also heard in court, include Lee Thomas Romeo Nee Nee who is facing three counts of Breach of Probationary License and Lee Thomas Horton who is facing careless driving. The Probationary license breach was a new matter brought before the court while the careless driving was a call-over and has been adjourned as well.