Court
Repeat offender gets probation sentence for stealing lemons
Thursday 28 March 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Court, National
A repeat offender received a 12-month probation sentence with community service for stealing lemons and failing to report to the police station.
Court: Suspended sentence
Wednesday 27 March 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Court, National
Well-known to the court for his previous conviction, Justice of the Peace John Whitta said he would not consider Travel Tuaputa’s previous record as it was not similar to the current offence.
Court: Possible diversion
Wednesday 27 March 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Court, National
Crown Law has suggested a diversion could be confirmed by April 30 for Alberio Lazaro and Aaron Junior William, who are currently facing charges of fighting in a public place.
Police investigate break-in at USP Cook Islands campus
Tuesday 26 March 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Court, National
Cook Islands Police is investigating an alleged break-in at the University of the South Pacific Cook Islands campus yesterday.
Nightclub brawler fined $3k for injuring security guard
Tuesday 26 March 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Court, Crime, National
A man who was involved in a brawl at the Rehab Nightclub in November last year was ordered to pay a $2000 fine and $1000 in compensation to a security guard who was injured from the incident.
Drunk driver convicted after crashing rental car into creek
Monday 25 March 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Court, National
The 43-year-old driver, who drove a rental car off the Nikao seawall and into a creek, has been convicted and ordered to pay $9000 in reparations to the rental company.
Consultant ordered to pay over $9k after careless driving incident
Monday 25 March 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Court, National
A consultant employed by Maritime Cook Islands was ordered to pay a $9309 restitution after being discharged for a driving-related matter.
Expat worker discharged without conviction after long delay
Monday 25 March 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Court, National
A foreign worker, who was expected to be sentenced for a 2022 careless driving causing injury charge, has been discharged without conviction.
Former DPM and senior civil servants to serve prison time
Saturday 23 March 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Court, National
Former Cook Islands deputy prime minister Robert Tapaitau and two former senior government officials, Ngatokorua Puna and his wife Diane Charlie-Puna, were taken to Arorangi Prison yesterday morning after receiving prison sentences.
Ex-Deputy PM, civil servants jailed for public funds fraud
Friday 22 March 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Court, Crime, National
The former deputy prime minister and two former senior civil servants have been handed prison sentences for fraudulently using $70,000 in public funds.
Guilty trio to be sentenced for $70k fraud
Friday 22 March 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Court, National
The former deputy prime minister and two former senior civil servants will be sentenced today after being convicted of fraudulently using $70,000 in public funds.
Driver found guilty of causing injury through careless driving
Wednesday 20 March 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Court, National
The driver of a tourist bus that crashed in Rarotonga in late December, 2022 has been convicted for careless driving causing injury.
Bus driver on trial for crash injuring tourist in Rarotonga
Tuesday 19 March 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Court, National
The driver accused of a bus crash that occurred in Rarotonga in late December of 2022 is being tried by a judge and jury at the High Court in Avarua.
Retired judge shares expertise with Cook Islands Justices of the Peace
Monday 18 March 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Court, Local, National
Retired judge John Adams from Aotearoa New Zealand is facilitating this week’s orientation workshop for three Justices of the Peace (JPs) from the Pa Enua (one from Aitutaki and two from Atiu).
The monumental task of fixing our land laws
Sunday 17 March 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Court, Features, Local, National, Parliament, Weekend
The Cook Islands Ministry of Justice is reforming land laws to deal with issues like absentee landowners and fragmented ownership, but the proposals are facing criticism for not being clear and for not respecting traditional customs.
Businesswoman granted name suppression in assault case
Sunday 17 March 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Court, National
A woman who is facing two counts of common assault was granted interim name suppression at the Criminal Court in Avarua on Thursday.
Training boosts Cook Islands’ access to justice
Friday 15 March 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Court, Education, Local, National
The Pacific Justice Sector Programme is providing training and resources to the Cook Islands to improve access to justice, including a new Bench Book for JPs, a Case Tracking System, and a Land Court Bench Book in development.
Clean record, victim’s support help pastor avoid conviction
Friday 15 March 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Court, National
A careless driving case against an ordained pastor was dismissed by the High Court due to the victim’s support and the pastor’s clean record.
Driver fined $700 for drink driving and careless driving
Friday 15 March 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Court, National
A male driver has been ordered to pay a $700 fine after being convicted of excess blood alcohol and careless driving.
Driver guilty of careless driving and refusal of breathalyser test
Wednesday 13 March 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Court, National
A 45-year-old man has been found guilty of driving-related charges by a jury.