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11 November 2022

Over $7000 in damages from drink driving

Friday 29 October 2021 | Written by Caleb Fotheringham | Published in Crime, National

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Over $7000 in damages from drink driving
Cook Islands High Court. 12081330

Nadia George entered a guilty plea to excess breath alcohol in the Criminal Court at Avarua on Thursday.

After drinking on August 28 at two in the morning, the court heard, George fell asleep while driving which resulted in a car crash.

The car driven by the defendant was a rental car that suffered over $2000 worth of damages. The other vehicle involved in the accident had over $5000 worth in damages.

Defence lawyer Norman George said his client had a payment agreement arranged for the owners of the vehicle involved in the crash.

George said the defendant had already paid back the damages for the rental car.

Nadia George has no previous convictions.

Justice of the Peace Nadine Newnham fined the defendant $350 and $100 in court costs. The defendant is disqualified from driving for the next 12 months. 

Case withdrawn

David Teaurere, who was charged with assault on a female, had the charge withdrawn in the Criminal Court at Avarua on Thursday.

The court heard Teaurere and his partner had recently completed counseling and the victim asked for the charge to be withdrawn.

Justice of the Peace Nadine Newnham who oversaw the matter withdrew the charge.

Pleas entered

Michael Tutapu entered two guilty pleas to theft charges and one not guilty plea to theft in the Criminal Court at Avarua.

Tutapu, who represented himself in court, pleaded not guilty to allegedly stealing a Samsung mobile phone.

Tutapu was previously legally represented by defence lawyer Lavi Rokoika who withdrew as the defendant’s lawyer.

Justice of the Peace Georgina Williams oversaw the matter.

The defendant will be sentenced on December 8 by three Justice of the Peace’s and will have a defended hearing sometime in December.

The matter is adjourned for December 2.