Accused in toddler case drove drunk

Carterton woman Rachaelle Patricia Namana, aged 28, was convicted yesterday of drink-driving.

Namana, who is unemployed, pleaded guilty in the Masterton District Court.

Namana also reappeared on a charge of assaulting Carterton toddler Hinewaoriki Karaitiana-Matiaha two months before her death.

She was remanded on bail for a depositions hearing on November 3.

On the drink-driving charge, police prosecutor Garry Wilson told the court that Namana was stopped at 12.50 am on August 7 on High St, Carterton, on another matter.

She showed signs of having been drinking and a test recorded 454mcg of alcohol per litre of breath.

Defence lawyer Jane Johnson told the court that Namana, who received the unemployment benefit, had not previously appeared on drink-driving charges.

She was already paying off other fines at $20 a week.

Judge David Carruthers convicted Namana and fined her $500 plus court costs.

He disqualified her from driving for six months.

Namana was also remanded on five charges of benefit fraud, totalling $30,000, and will reappear on October 20.

Name suppression of the person whose name Namana allegedly used to collect benefits was continued.

Namana's sister, Rongomai Wahine Paewai, 27, of Carterton, was called but did not appear in court yesterday on a charge of assaulting a child under the age of 2.

Judge Carruthers excused her attendance, as Miss Johnson said Paewai, who is unemployed, had a meeting with Child, Youth and Family Services at the time.

Paewai was remanded on bail until a depositions hearing on November 2.

Name suppression of the alleged victim was continued.

- NZPA