Republic v Karuataai [2003] KIHC 156; Criminal Case 30 of 2003 (20 November 2003)

IN THE HIGH COURT OF KIRIBATI
CRIMINAL JURISDICTION
HELD AT BETIO
REPUBLIC OF KIRIBATI

Criminal Case No. 30 of 2003

THE REPUBLIC

vs

BIO KARUATAAI

For the Republic: Ms Pauline Beiatau
For the Accused: Ms Jacqueline Huston

Date of Hearing: 19 October 2003

SENTENCE

Bio Karuataai: you have pleaded guilty to failing to stop at the scene of an accident. That is an offence which has a penalty of a fine of $100 and six months' imprisonment.

It happened on the Dai Nippon Causeway on 9 August 2002. A man was killed after the minibus you were driving hit him. You did not stop. You acknowledged that you had had a small amount of intoxicating liquor to drink but not so much as to make you drunk.

You are a middle aged man, married, with a family. You have one previous conviction but it is not relevant to this offence. You had been a driver for some time: you were dismissed as a result of this accident.

You are fined $50.00, in default of payment three weeks' imprisonment. You are disqualified from holding a driver's licence.

Do you want time to pay the fine of $50.00?

One month to pay.

Dated the 20^th day of November 2003

THE HON ROBIN MILLHOUSE QC
Chief Justice