VEREKAUTA GRANTED BAIL, WARNED TO STAY OUT OF TROUBLE

Former Team Fiji athlete and 7s rep Niko Biu Verekauta has been warned to keep out of trouble.

Verekauta appeared before Magistrate Waleen George at the Magistrate’s Court in Suva yesterday charged with one count each of dangerous driving and driving a motor vehicle whilst there is present in the blood a concentration of alcohol in excess of the prescribed limit.

For the offence of dangerous driving, it is alleged that Verekauta, on February 15, 2020, at Lami, drove a motor vehicle registration number JT 844 on Marine Drive Suvavou Bridge in a manner which was dangerous to the public.

For the second offence, it is alleged that Verekauta, on February 15, 2020, at

Lami, drove a motor vehicle registration number JT 844 on Marine Drive Suvavou Bridge while there was present in 100 millilitres of his blood a concentration of 226.6 milligrams of alcohol.

It is alleged that on the day of the incident, Verekauta was driving a motor vehicle on a high speed and allegedly involved in an accident on the bridge where Verekauta lost control of the vehicle and hit the railings of the bridge in a dangerous manner as the vehicle was hanging from the bridge towards the river.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Ronil Ram told the court that the accused was served with full phase of disclosures.

The charges were read to Verekauta in English language to which he understood and opted for legal representation from the Legal Aid Commission.

Magistrate George has granted bail to Verekauta on the bail bond in sum of $200. She has ordered Verekauta not to interfere with the prosecution witnesses, not to change his address until the disposal of the case and not to re-offend while on bail.

The matter has been adjourned for mention on

April 1.

>Ashna Kumar