Police get final warning on 7-month-old case

In criminal court on Thursday, JP Tangi Taoro gave Police one final chance to get their act together in a case involving three young men, facing assault charges.
This has so far dragged on for seven months with Police unable to make a start.
Opening his argument for the defence, Norman George came out of the starting blocks with all guns blazing. “Justice delayed, is justice denied!” said George.
George said the case first came to court on 31 August 2006. Police prosecutor Inspector Patia said the complainant had taken his wife to New Zealand for medical treatment and it was not known when he would be returning.
Police sought a one-month adjournment.
The hearing, which was adjourned until last week, was further adjourned until 8 February 2007.
George criticised the Police for arresting the three young men. They had confronted the complainant after he had punched and knocked out their sister following a domestic dispute. George said Police should have charged the complainant not the three brothers. George submitted that the situation merited a positive response by the bench and the charges should be dismissed.
George said the three young men were also facing contempt charges for failing to report to Police as per their bail conditions.
JP Taoro said the delay was beyond anyone’s control. She granted the Police’s request for an adjournment to 22 March 2007 but she cautioned Police to ensure the matter would be dealt with on that date.
This prompted George to urge Police to remove the charges when he said, “Be humane, be good!”

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