Judge favours fine over imprisonment due to Veikune's heart condition

Siosifa Fatafehi Fuatakifolaha, the former holder of the noble title Veikune, was reprimanded and fined $20,000 this morning by the Chief Justice in the Nuku'alofa Supreme Court, after being found guilty by a jury on January 25 of the offence of attempting to evade customs import duties on 600 cartons of over proof Bounty rum, and for bribery of a customs officer.