In the High Court of Kiribati
Criminal Jurisdiction

High Court Criminal Case 8 of 2010

Held at Betio
Republic of Kiribati

The Republic

v

Tevesi Taliu

For the Republic:		Ms Taaira Timeon
For the Accused:		Mr Banuera Berina

Date of Hearing:		28 April 2010

SENTENCE

Tevesi Taliu: you pleaded guilty at the first opportunity to common assault.

It may all have been a misunderstanding. It was at night. You heard a lady yelling and screaming at a lad who was apparently molesting her. The lady is your aunt. You went to interfere. The lad ran away. You chased him. He ran into your house. You caught him. Grabbed his shirt and pushed him to the ground.

You have no previous convictions.

You are a police officer and acted as a police officer should to keep the peace. It was most unfortunate that you heard the lady screaming and yelling and that the boy ran away. If he had stayed the misunderstanding might have been resolved on the spot. Apologies all round have since been offered and accepted.

You are 27 years old, married with three young children.

Mr Berina has told me that if you have a conviction it will prejudice your position in the police force. You do not deserve that.

The offence is trivial and there are extenuating circumstances. It is not expedient to inflict any punishment. The charge is dismissed.

Dated the 29th day of April 2010

THE HON ROBIN MILLHOUSE QC
Chief Justice