Results for From the Courts

Lautaimi Tu’itavake (34) from Malapo has been remanded in custody for sentencing for possession of cannabis and methamphatamine, after a one day trial on May 20 at the Supreme Court.

A 54-year-old man who is the head of community policing at Popua received a suspended sentence at the Nuku'alofa Supreme Court on May 17, after pleading guilty to three charges, including firing a .22 rifle to intimidate.

A hearing on an appeal by the Crown against a ruling by a Magistrate discharging four counts against former Prime Minister Lord Tu'ivakano, namely for accepting bribes by a government servant was heard on May 17 at the Supreme Court.

Five of the 10 men arrested in a drugs operation in Hofoa during the Easter weekend were released on bail on Friday, May 10.

Tonga Broadcom Ltd. was fined $1,500 pa’anga to be paid within 60 days after being convicted of broadcasting an interview of the Deputy Prime Minister Semisi Sika on the polling day of Tonga's General Election in 2017. The judge found that the broadcast was a clear expression of support for the candidate.

'Emilio To‘a this morning changed his plea to guilty to an alternative charge of manslaughter in the death of Siaosi ‘Okusitino Tupa, who died after being stabbed multiple times with a knife during a drunken brawl at Fangaloto in March, 2018.

The 16 men and one woman arrested in a major drugs operation in Tongatapu over the Easter weekend remain in custody pending bail hearing.

A re-offender, Pouono ‘Aisake (29) was sentenced to six-years imprisonment after pleading guilty to causing grievous bodily harm, when he hit a Senior Police Constable with a machete on the head, in August 2018. The judge found that the accused when angry poses a serious danger to society.

Paula Naitoko (59) is the Senior Customs Officer charged in relation to a major seizure of drugs by Tonga Customs Officers on April 23 at the Queen Salote Wharf.