Police v Ngataua [2005] CKHC 19; CR398,399,400.2005 (23 September 2005)

IN THE HIGH COURT OF THE COOK ISLANDS
HELD AT RAROTONGA
(CRIMINAL DIVISION)

CR 398, 399, 400/2005

POLICE

v

IORAMA NGATAUA
Defendant

Date: 23 September 2005

Sgt Howard for Police
Mr Ngataua for himself, not represented by counsel

SENTENCE OF SMITH J

You are charged with two charges of escaping from lawful custody and one charge of theft. The value of the item which has been stolen has been valued at $1500.00 and the Police are asking that you be ordered to pay that by way of reparation.

You are 16 years of age, I see that you have previously appeared before the Court and you are currently serving a sentence in the prison and while you were serving that you escaped on two occasions and caused the other offence with which you are charged.

Clearly you like Matapo who has appeared before you have decided that a life of crime is the way to proceed. That is not going to get you anywhere here in this country. It is clear that the time you have prison has not in any way stopped you from offending, in fact you appear to be treating that as some sort of a holiday where you can come and go as you please. I understand some enquiry has been carried out of the prison at the moment and it is hoped that the ability of people like you to break out when you wish will be stopped. But anyway I'm sending you to prison for a further 3 months during which you can see what action is being taken by the prison authorities to ensure that you will stay within the bounds of the prison. You are sentenced to 3 months on each of the charges to be served concurrently and the Probation Officers have asked that following your sentence you are to be placed on 12 months' probation supervision with special conditions which have already previously been laid down and that you are also permitted, if arrangements can be made through the Probation Office, to travel to Pukapuka and there comply with the further conditions which have been imposed by the Probation Officer and which you've already seen.

N F Smith
JUDGE