Court
Woman facing additional charges in hit-and-run case
Monday 14 October 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Court, National
A woman alleged to have injured four teenagers in a hit and run matter will be facing more charges, the Cook Islands Criminal Court heard last week.
Court briefs
Monday 14 October 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Court, National
The case of a man accused of raping a girl under the age of 12 has been adjourned to November 28.
Mental health assessment ordered for accused burglar
Monday 14 October 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Court, National
A psychological assessment of one of the three men accused of a series of burglaries in Rarotonga has been ordered by the Criminal Court in Avarua.
Bus driver sentenced to twelve months’ probation supervision
Friday 11 October 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Court, National
A 46-year-old Fiji national driver who crashed a tourist bus in December 2022 has been sentenced to 12 months of probation supervision.
Two-year prison term for dangerous driving causing death in Rarotonga
Friday 11 October 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Court, National
A man in his 20s has been sentenced to two years imprisonment for dangerous driving, which resulted in the death of a 24-year-old man in Rarotonga last year.
Container theft accused walks free
Thursday 10 October 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Court, National
A man charged with theft of a 40-foot container was discharged without conviction yesterday.
Court warns recidivist offender to stay out of trouble
Thursday 10 October 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Court, National
Recidivist offender Okirua Manuela, who is well-known to the Court system, was warned that any breach of his sentencing conditions could result in imprisonment.
Team Rakahanga sweeps aquatics medals at Cook Islands Games
Wednesday 9 October 2024 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Court, National
The aquatics events, held over a three-day race, were the first of the Cook Islands Games’ sports to conclude with Team Rakahanga waving their flag with pride as they dominated several categories.
First major cocaine case results in imprisonment
Wednesday 9 October 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Court, Crime, National
A New Zealand-based Cook Islander was sentenced to 20 months imprisonment for bringing cocaine and cannabis into the country in the first significant case of its kind.
Man disqualified for 18 months after third drunk driving charge
Tuesday 8 October 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Court, National
A man with a history of driving related charges in the Cook Islands High Court has been disqualified from driving for 18 months.
Kiwi lawyer brings Māori land law expertise to Cook Islands
Monday 7 October 2024 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Court, Local, National
A New Zealand lawyer is hoping to apply his expertise in Māori land law, the Treaty of Waitangi and constitutional issues to assist in resolving similar challenges faced in the Cook Islands.
Concerns over Minister’s role in inmate work releases: PAC
Saturday 5 October 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Court, Crime, National, Parliament
The Public Accounts Committee is concerned with the Minister for Corrective Services’ authority to ‘influence or directly manage’ the release of inmates from prison, while the Minister denies these claims and maintains that all work release protocols are being followed.
Small-time drug dealer gets two years in prison
Saturday 5 October 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Court, National
A drug related case that’s been ongoing for three years has come to an end after Justice Colin Doherty sentenced the convicted ‘small time drug dealer’ to two years in jail.
Rapist jailed for 10 years
Friday 4 October 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Court, National
A 33-year-old man has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for raping and indecently assaulting a girl who was between the ages of 12 and 16.
High Court delays sentencing in cannabis case, Judge questions defendant’s motive
Thursday 3 October 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Court
The sentencing of a man who was charged for cultivating cannabis and selling or offering to supply a Class C controlled drug has been adjourned to tomorrow.
Man convicted of motorcycle crash ordered to pay $5131 in reparations
Wednesday 2 October 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Court, National
The man convicted of the motorcycle crash in Nikao last February has been ordered to pay $5131 in reparations to the victim.
Man denies driving related charge
Tuesday 1 October 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Court, National
The defence lawyer of a man who has denied the charge of careless driving causing injury in Rarotonga, says there is insufficient evidence to convict her client.
Bench warrant remains for absconding defendant
Saturday 28 September 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Court, National
The bench warrant issued for a man who was arrested with 71 cannabis plants in July of this year remains in effect until his return to the Cook Islands.
Judge finds foreign national not guilty of indecent assault
Friday 27 September 2024 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Court, National
A 55-year-old foreign national has been acquitted of an indecent assault charge by the Cook Islands High Court following a judge-alone trial on Thursday.
Crown alleges indecent touching in judge alone trial, defendant denies
Thursday 26 September 2024 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Court, National
The trial of a man accused of indecently assaulting a 13-year-old girl in Rarotonga is underway, with the Crown presenting evidence of the defendant’s alleged inappropriate touching of the victim’s thigh during a car ride.