Justice of the Peace Tangi Taoro presided over drink driving related matters that were presented at the Criminal Court in Avarua this week.

On Wednesday, Ravneel Kaushik was ordered to pay reparations of $4270.76 for crashing onto a power pole at the Matavera main road.

On October 15 last year, Kaushik drove a motor vehicle and crashed on the power pole. He was taken to the hospital where a blood test was done and the result was less than the legal limit.

He was convicted of careless driving and received a suspended sentence. This means he will only be sentenced if he commits another crime within 12 months. He was also ordered to pay reparations of $150 for blood analysis and $50 in court costs.

On Thursday, Teavaiki Sword-Toa was convicted for careless driving and excess blood alcohol. He was ordered to pay a fine of $367 including court costs for each charge, $150 for blood analysis reparation and was disqualified from driving for 12 months.

Sword-Toa crashed on a rock wall at Takuvaine past the round-about on July 13 last year. He returned a blood analysis reading of 247.8 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood.

Defence lawyer Norman George said his 18-year-old client was found unconscious by someone on the Takuvaine backroad.

George said his motorcycle was not damaged and the group who were with him were “cowards” as they left him there.

He was hospitalised for six days.

Ngatokorua Joshua Tonorio was convicted and ordered to pay a fine of $480 for careless driving and excess blood alcohol.

Represented by defence counsel George, he admitted that he crashed at the Betela main road on May 13 last year when he was on his way home after consuming alcohol the previous night. His blood analysis reading was 259 mg.

He was ordered to pay $100 court cost and reparation of $150 for blood analysis and disqualified from driving for the next 12 months.