Justice of the Peace John Whitta granted bail for wilful damage co-accused Poe Poila after he was arrested for breaching his curfew orders.

Poila appeared at the Criminal Court in Avarua on Thursday.

The Court heard that Poila, who is alleged to have been involved in connection to the highly publicised property intrusion incident on Boxing Day 2024, breached his bail conditions and curfew by consuming alcohol at the On the Rocks nightclub in Avarua.

However, defence counsel Jaimie Crawford argued that while her client accepted breaching curfew, he did not consume alcohol.

Crawford said Poila was picked up by a friend, and they went to Raro Fried Chicken, where he was assaulted by another person.

Crawford said police were still looking for the man who assaulted Poila.

She further requested bail on the condition he reside with his parents at their family home and to move his curfew from 9pm to 6am for work purposes.

JP Whitta granted the bail conditions.

Poila is a co-accused in a wilful damage charge that also involves former sporting executive Romani Katoa.

The case has been adjourned to May 29.

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An expat worker, Ilisoni Naqelevuki, facing an excess breath alcohol charge, pleaded guilty through his counsel on Thursday last week.

The defendant did not dispute consuming alcohol but assumed he was fit to drive the morning after.

However, a roadside police check revealed a blood alcohol level exceeding the legal limit.

The defendant was convicted.

Taken from the reading of 820 microgrammes per litre of breath, he was sentenced to a starting point of $450 fine, minus $50 each for guilty plea and first offence. He was fined $350, plus $50 court costs.

He’s also been disqualified from holding or applying for a Cook Islands driver’s licence for 12 months.

• Losirene Lacanivalu/Talaia Mika