Tasered man in court

Teakaura Tapaki ordered to reappear after alleged attack

A MAN who police allege assaulted an elderly couple in Cairns North in the early hours of Saturday morning and then stole their car was eventually tasered and taken into custody by police after he allegedly armed himself with a glass bottle.

On Saturday, detectives from the Cairns Criminal Investigation Branch charged 33year-old Teakaura Tapaki with one count each of robbery with violence, serious assault of a person over 60 and an assault and serious assault of police over the 4.45am incident.

Mr Tapaki appeared in the Cairns Magistrates Court on October 3, represented by Legal Aid Queensland solicitor Trish Price.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Jacqui Hughes, opposing bail, said Mr Tapaki was in breach of several suspended sentences.

Police allege the incidents occurred when an elderly couple were driving along Lake St in Cairns North in separate vehicles when the man, 74, noticed his wife’s car lights didn’t appear to be working so flashed her to pull over between the intersections of Rutherford and Lily streets.

While he approached his wife’s car, it’s alleged Mr Tapaki got into the 74-year-old’s unattended vehicle and attempted to drive away.

The couple ran to their car and noticed Mr Tapaki was having difficulty releasing the handbrake.

It’s alleged Mr Tapaki pushed the older man and knocked him to the ground before punching the woman’s arm and driving off with the handbrake on.

Mr Tapaki abandoned the vehicle on Lake St, near the intersection of Smith St, and got into a white van that pulled up to collect him, police allege.

The couple’s vehicle sustained two flat rear tyres.

The man, 74, received significant bruising to the back of his head, while the woman, 67, sustained bruising and scratches to her arm and both were transported to Cairns Hospital.

Later that morning, investigations led detectives to a unit complex in Casella St, Earlville, where it’s alleged Mr Tapaki fled from police on foot.

Patrols of the area later located him around 1.30pm on Mulgrave Rd, Earlville.

The court heard when detectives attempted to speak to him, Mr Tapaki fled again on foot, running into a nearby shopping centre with officers giving chase.

Police allege the man ran out of the centre and back across Mulgrave Rd before returning to the shopping centre, with police giving chase.

It’s further alleged Mr Tapaki armed himself with a glass bottle, before throwing the bottle at police.

Officers tasered Mr Tapaki, taking him into custody without further incident.

Magistrate Sandra Pearson ordered him to be remanded in custody to reappear on November 23.