A man facing indecent assault and burglary charges has been given bail following a weekend incident on Rarotonga.

He was also granted name suppression when he appeared before Justice of the Peace, Georgina Williams in the Criminal Court at Avarua on Tuesday.

He was arrested and charged with two counts of indecent assault and one of burglary on Sunday afternoon following an incident earlier in the day.

Police remanded him in custody and opposed bail in court.

The police prosecutor said the charges were serious and there would be further charges as the investigation was ongoing.

“In terms of victims there are issues of fear.”

Defence lawyer Lavi Rokoika asked for bail and acknowledged the offences were of a sexual nature, and indicated there might be a problem with the burglary charge.

Rokoika reminded the court the defendant was a foreign national and that borders were closed.

“He might be in prison for the next two weeks, it is unreasonable timing because it is ongoing.

“In terms of the protection of the community, at the time of the alleged offending he was very drunk.”

Rokoika suggested that conditions may be imposed, which included not entering a licensed premise, the defendant’s constitutional right of presumption of innocence, no previous convictions, and the length of time in custody.

His employment and care for dependants would also be taken into account, Rokoika said.

“He needs to support family.”

Rokoika said he did not know the alleged victims and would abide by all bail conditions.

She applied for name suppression on the grounds he had not yet notified family members.

JP Williams said he had interim name suppression.

The police prosecutor then advised the court that the list of bail conditions would include the surrender of his passport, not to interfere with the alleged victims or witness, not to enter a licensed premise, and not to consume alcohol.

JP Williams then told the court bail conditions would apply.

“Lengthy custody might be detrimental to his job.”

The matter was adjourned to December 9 for a call over.