Court report

On Thursday, 18 August 2022, The Norfolk Island Court of Petty Sessions held its monthly sittings before Chief Magistrate Wendy Cull.

A 35 year old female plead guilty to two common assault charges, one in relation to attending the home of another female on the Island and assaulting her in her home, the other for throwing a glass at a different female in a licenced premises. She was sentenced to undertake a 24 month Good Behaviour Order with a $1200 recognizance and to seek professional counselling in relation to anger management and alcohol abuse.

A 54 year old male plead guilty to high range drink driving, being his third offence of this nature, in relation to a single vehicle collision he was involved in where he sustained injuries as a result of not wearing a seatbelt and returned a blood alcohol reading of 0.287, nearly six times the legal limit. He was sentenced to pay a $2800 fine, a 12 month driver licence cancellation and his conviction was recorded.

A 34 year old male plead guilty to charges of high level drink driving and driving an unregistered and uninsured motor vehicle, in relation to a single vehicle collision he was involved in where he sustained injuries as a result of not wearing a seatbelt and returned a blood alcohol reading of 0.285, nearly six times the legal limit. He was sentenced to pay a $2400 fine, a 9 month driver licence cancellation and his conviction was recorded.

Chief Magistrate Cull reminded the Court that in accordance with s45(2) of the Norfolk Island Traffic Act 2005, no application for a special licence (work permit) shall be made within a specified period after a licence is suspended, cancelled or disqualified, in this occasion, at least one month.

Police would like to take this opportunity to remind people not to risk driving under the influence of alcohol and to always wear a seatbelt when they are travelling in a motor vehicle.