A motorist who crashed into the TEM Store in Tupapa in January this year has been ordered to pay around $9,000 in reparations for damages to the store and its goods.

Justice of the Peace Tangi Taoro allowed Grace Powell, a foreign worker charged with excess blood alcohol and careless driving, to speak at the Criminal Court in Avarua on Tuesday.

Powell, who had no legal representation, apologised to the court, the owner of the store and the Cook Islands people for the incident.

She acknowledged breaking the law and expressed that she was grateful for the opportunity to work in the Cook Islands. She assured the court this would be her first and last offence.

The court heard that on the night of January 4, a motor vehicle crash at Tupapa was reported to police. The defendant was identified as the driver of the car and her blood test returned a result of 205 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood.

JP Taoro said the defendant admitted she drank vodka (stubby) at the Hula Bar and Woodstock before going to the Paradise Inn, next to the TEM Store, for dinner with a friend.

The court heard that an argument took place and the defendant came out of the Inn and crashed into the side of the store. The store’s glass window, refrigerators/freezers, power points and $2000 worth of frozen goods were damaged.

Police prosecutor senior sergeant Fairoa Tararo submitted a quote of around $9,000 for cost of damages to freezers, the shop and labour costs, stating the property damage was excessive.

Senior sergeant Tararo said it was the defendant’s first offence and recommended 12 months disqualification from driving.

In sentencing Powell, JP Taoro said the victim had been emotionally affected by the crash, which took a toll on him and his business.

She explained that, according to the probation report, Powell’s toxic relationship with her then-partner contributed to her alcohol consumption and the incident. She is no longer in that relationship, the court heard.

“You are fortunate no one was harmed,” JP Taoro said.

She sentenced Powell to 12 months’ probation supervision to be served concurrently, to pay the reparation to the court registrar, $150 for blood test report, to attend counselling or workshops organised by Probation Services and $100 court costs. 

Powell was also ordered to not consume or purchase alcohol nor enter any liquor licence premises except for her place of work.

Note: Cook Islands News printed $19k in today's newspaper and apologises to the readers for this error.