Results for From the Courts

A 74-year-old man of Chinese origin was awarded $12,000 pa'anga in damages by the Supreme Court, for emotional suffering and injuries suffered, after being assaulted by his son-in-law in 2016.

Five men charged with the murder of Sione Feimoefiafi (49) in February this year remain on the Supreme Court's “no fly” list and are prohibited from travelling outside of Tonga.

A five-years imprisonment sentence was imposed on a 66-year-old man who was convicted of incest in Tongatapu.

A reckless impatient driver caused the death of a child by overtaking and travelling at a speed through Tatakamotonga village in a vehicle that he knew had faulty brakes, The 28-year-old man was sentenced to two years six months imprisonment, which was fully suspended by the judge, who urged drivers to exercise more care and attention, “and most importantly restraint and patience,” with so many vehicles are on Tonga's roads.

Pangi Puloka was acquitted of possession of the illicit drug, methamphetamine due to insufficient evidence, in Supreme Court ruling on August 29.

The Supreme Court has rejected an application by ‘Etuate Lavulavu to have a separate trial from his wife ‘Akosita Lavulavu on forgery charges.

The forgery trial against a current People’s Representative to Parliament ‘Akosita Lavulavu, and her husband, a former Cabinet Minister, ‘Etuate Lavulavu is now set for 2020.

Cash seized by Tonga Police during a search of Sione Filipe Jr's home in relation to a bribery allegation in July, was ordered to be returned to him by the Supreme Court on August 23.

Twenty-one of 26 Chinese nationals charged with gambling were fined on August 23 after pleading guilty at the Fasi Magistrate's Court. They were arrested by Police after more than $89,000 pa’anga and other foreign currencies was seized on Sunday, August 18 at a building in Tofoa.