Crime
CJ sceptical of man turning over new leaf
Tuesday 4 September 2012 | Published in Crime
A man who committed five out of six burglaries while on bail was sentenced on Friday to three years in prison. In sentencing Ngatapuna Rata for 14 offences, including assaulting a female, Chief Justice Tom Weston noticed the man had a “very significant” criminal record. He has previously spent time in prison for burglary. In […]
Man jailed for assaulting female
Saturday 1 September 2012 | Published in Crime
A Fijian man living in Rarotonga has been sent to prison by the chief justice for committing 10 offences, including assaulting a female. Sakaraia Sucuigau pleaded guilty to assaulting a female, threatening to kill, escaping from police custody, two thefts, two traffic offences including excess breath alcohol, and three contempt of court charges. The most […]
CJ Weston robbed
Saturday 1 September 2012 | Published in Crime
Chief Justice Tom Weston is usually the one sentencing criminals for burglary – now he is at the receiving end. His accommodation at Sokala Villas in Muri was burgled at 5.45 yesterday morning, in the short time it took him to go outside and get the newspaper. A cellphone and wallet was taken, although the […]
MP sentenced for tax evasion
Saturday 1 September 2012 | Published in Crime
The name suppression order against a prominent politician and lawyer convicted on tax evasion charges has been lifted. Norman George pleaded guilty in the High Court yesterday to 12 charges against him and his company Norman George and Associates. The Teenui-Mapumai (Atiu) MP was fined $21,800 on eight charges against his company for failure to […]
Guard your reputation, says chief justice
Tuesday 28 August 2012 | Published in Crime
Two new lawyers have been admitted to the Cook Islands High Court. Chief Justice Tom Weston admitted lawyers Jacqueline Wi-Kaitaia and Angela Pope to the bar in a swearing-in ceremony on Monday morning. Before welcoming the lawyers to the bar, the chief justice told them it was important to guard their reputation in coming years. […]
Sentence suspended after assaulting partner
Tuesday 28 August 2012 | Published in Crime
The High Court on August 23 was presided over by justice of the peace Carmen Temata, who passed the following judgments: Richard Hoepper – pleaded guilty to assaulting a female. The assault happened during an argument between the defendant and his victim, who are in a de-facto relationship and have six children. The police prosecutor […]
Role of JPs discussed
Monday 27 August 2012 | Published in Crime
The Cook Islands’ chief justice has released a discussion paper to help improve access to justice in the Cook Islands. Chief Justice Tom Weston recently wrote the paper to review the role of justices of the peace (JPs), who oversee the day-to-day running of the Cook Islands High Court. While high-level court cases are heard […]
CJ back on the bench
Monday 27 August 2012 | Published in Crime
The Cook Islands chief justice is in the country for a two week court sitting starting Monday. Chief Justice Tom Weston arrived in Rarotonga on Thursday afternoon, and will start his High Court fixtures on Monday morning with the swearing-in of two new Cook Islands lawyers. They are Jacqueline Wi-Kaitaia and Angela Pope. A number […]
3 JPs deal with criminal sentences
Thursday 23 August 2012 | Published in Crime
The High Court yesterday was presided over by justices of the peace Tangi Taoro, Tauei Solomon and Mataira Ake, who passed the following judgments: Ngatapuna Rata – faces 13 charges, including burglary. Counsel Norman George asked for a probation report by Monday, and the case was adjourned until August 29 for sentencing by the chief […]
Man described as a 'monster'
Thursday 23 August 2012 | Published in Crime
High Court on August 16 was presided over by justice of the peace Tupe Short, who passed the following judgments: Teinakore Tanga – Pleaded guilty to assaulting a female. On June 23 police were called to a house in Arorangi after the defendant threw a hammer at the victim, his mother. The victim dodged the […]
Ministry of Justice rebranded
Tuesday 14 August 2012 | Published in Crime
The Ministry of Justice has been renamed. Yesterday Prime Minister Henry Puna and Justice Minister Teariki Heather approved the use of a Cook Islands Maori name for the Ministry of Justice. The new name is Te Tango Tutara o te Ture. According to Puna the name ”conveys accurately the responsibilities of the Ministry as well […]
Man charged after smash
Tuesday 14 August 2012 | Published in Crime
A man has been charged with drink driving after crashing his car on the Nikao back road on Sunday afternoon. The man, in his late twenties, crashed his black Commodore pick-up truck into a power pole opposite Manea Foods at the back of the airport. Neither he nor his passenger were hurt. Police have charged […]
Manuel found fit to charges
Monday 13 August 2012 | Published in Crime
Justice of the Peace John Kenning presided over the High Court on Thursday and the following judgements were passed: Japhet Manuel – When the defendant appeared in court last week defence counsel Lavenia Rokoika asked for another medical assessment to be carried out to find whether Manuel was mentally fit to plead. Dr Fariu found […]
Bail breached for Te Maeva Nui
Wednesday 8 August 2012 | Published in Crime
The High Court on August 2 was presided over by Justice of the Peace Tauei Solomon, who passed the following judgments:
Free counselling course this week
Wednesday 8 August 2012 | Published in Crime
An opportunity for people in the community to build rapport skills and develop listening and questioning skills are two components to a free counselling training being offered by Punanga Tauturu Inc.
Guilty plea in tax case
Saturday 4 August 2012 | Published in Crime
The sentencing date for a high-profile tax case has been set for the end of August in front of Chief Justice Tom Weston. The defendant, who has interim name suppression, faces 12 charges of failing to furnish tax returns. Eight of these charges are faced by the man’s company for failing to file VAT returns, […]
CJ: 'Not here for the fat cheque'
Friday 3 August 2012 | Published in Crime
The Cook Islands Chief Justice wants to clear a few things up. Chief Justice Tom Weston, who first visited the Cooks on holiday about 15 years ago, says if people want to attack the judicature system in place in the Cooks, they should do it on an informed basis. ”It’s great there is debate about […]
Plea change in Black Rock Store burglary
Tuesday 24 July 2012 | Published in Crime
The following cases were presided over by Justice of the Peace Tui Short in the High Court on Thursday: Putere Dean – faced charges of the burglary of the Blackrock Store and contempt of court. The defendant pleaded guilty to the breach of bail conditions, as he realised he should have notified his lawyer about […]
'Unsound mind' man released
Friday 20 July 2012 | Published in Crime
A young man imprisoned for over six weeks for having an unsound mind was released yesterday into the custody of a family member. Felix Willie Tua appeared in the High Court before justice of the peace Tui Short on a charge of having an unsound mind. Last week JP Kenning adjourned this case in order […]
Assault charge thrown out
Friday 20 July 2012 | Published in Crime
An assault charge was thrown out of the High Court on Thursday after Justice of the Peace Tui Short decided it was in the best interests of the family not to prosecute. Tuarii SV Jnr Yaewua Tuariki was in court on charges of assaulting his partner. He had pushed her over, then punched and slapped […]
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