June 9, 2025

A 23-year-old man, who admitted to the charges of excess blood alcohol and careless driving, has been ordered to pay more than $4000 to a rental company for reparation costs.

Nelson Tangaroa appeared before Justice of the Peace Vania Kenning at the High Court of the Cook Islands last week Thursday.

The court heard that Tangaroa had been drinking with his friends on May 16 at his home and had later gone out with them.

After dropping his friends home that night, he crashed into a rental vehicle parked on the side of the road in Tupapa on his way back.

Duty lawyer Jamie Crawford advised the court that this was the defendant’s first appearance.

He was further ordered to pay $150 for his alcohol blood analysis, $350 fine and $50 court costs.

Tangaroa offered to pay $2000 for the rental car bond. He was convicted and discharged for the careless driving charge.

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Enuakura Maruaau, who faces four counts of dealing with a document, has had her case adjourned to July 10.

Defence lawyer Michelle Tangimama Pera Robati informed the court that she had received the disclosures and needed documents for the case and would need to discuss them with her client.

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A young woman, who has interim name suppression because she is a school student, has had her case adjourned to July 10.

Defence lawyer Michelle Tangimama Pera Robati requested another adjournment to review the disclosures.

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A man, who was allegedly found unlawfully on another compound, has had his case adjourned.

Defence lawyer Jamie Crawford requested for disclosures, interim name suppression and an adjournment. Name suppression was granted.

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Another woman, who was also granted interim name suppression on the basis that she is yet to inform her family about the case, has had her matter adjourned to July 31.

She faces a charge of careless driving causing injury.

Defence lawyer Mark Short said the incident happened on the weekend. She was granted name suppression and ordered to surrender her passport to the court.

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The case of Brendon and Tiola Crummer, who are facing one count each of wilful damage, has been adjourned to September 29 at 9.30am for a defendant hearing.

The court heard that Tiola and Brendon would be represented by defence lawyer Norman George.