Court
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.
Businessman loses appeal against assault convictions
Wednesday 25 September 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Court, National
The Court of Appeal has dismissed a Rarotonga businessman’s application against his conviction for two counts of assault on a female, according to a judgement released last week.
Man found guilty of rape, burglary
Tuesday 24 September 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Court, National
A man over the age of 30 has been convicted of raping a girl aged between 12 and 16 in Rarotonga.
Court briefs
Monday 23 September 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Court, National
September 23, 2024
Jurors advised to remain open-minded
Saturday 21 September 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Court, Crime, National
Jurors in a rape and burglary trial have been instructed not to discuss the case with anyone and to maintain an open mind as they return to High Court on Monday for closing submissions.
Tapaitau and Charlie-Puna released to ‘family jobs’
Saturday 21 September 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Court, Crime, Local, National
Two high-profile inmates, sentenced to jail time in March this year, have been hired by their families through the Ministry of Corrective Services’ work scheme programme.
Fingerprint evidence links accused rapist to crime scene
Friday 20 September 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Court, National
A man accused of raping a girl between the ages of 12 and 16 will testify at the High Court in Avarua today.
Police testify in rape, burglary trial
Thursday 19 September 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Court, National
Police officers who responded to the burglary and rape crime scenes of February 21 last year testified in a jury trial at the High Court in Rarotonga yesterday.
Rape victim testifies in closed court, witness recounts theft
Wednesday 18 September 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Court, National
A jury trial of a man accused of rape and burglary entered day two yesterday with testimony from a burglary victim and a closed court session to discuss witness details.
Cook Islands ‘deepens seabed mining knowledge’ from UMC
Wednesday 18 September 2024 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Court, National
Cook Islands is set to gain a deeper understanding of seabed mining through expert discussions and knowledge sharing at the 52nd Underwater Minerals Conference held at the National Auditorium.
