Results for From the Courts

‘Okusitino Penisimani Tatafu (50) was sentenced this week to seven-years and eight-months imprisonment for possession of 249.74 grams of cocaine seized in Vava'u in 2021. A jury earlier found him guilty of carrying a significant amount of cocaine. The police drugs taskforce was waiting for the defendant in a hotel room where an informer said the buyer was staying.

Repeat offender Hateni Kaufusi (35) was sentenced to 34-months imprisonment for serious housebreaking and theft of tool shed items estimated at $11,840. His co-accused Kulikefu Vanisi (54) got a suspended sentence for abetment.

Viliami Wight (27) and Samiuela Mahina (22) have been jailed for possession of 6.8 grams and 1.14 grams of methamphetamine respectively, seized at a residence in Veitongo by Tonga Police, who suspected their drug dealing in 2021.

A former police officer, Pita Vakalahi (28), was sentenced to two-years and six-months' imprisonment for demanding $640 pa'anga from a driver in a traffic offence case he worked on in 2019. The public need to see that condign punishment will be visited on police officers who betray the trust reposed in them, said the sentencing judge who also suspended 12 months of the sentence.

Sione Taione (41) was sentenced to 17-months' imprisonment for the theft of meat boxes, to the value of $10,225 pa'anga, from a refrigerated container belonging to a store in Fasi.

Heneli Losalu (25), ‘Akapei Fa (20) and Semisi Moeaki (20) have been jailed for serious bodily harm, committed when they jointly attacked and injured a 17-year-old in the village of Puke in January this year. "It is a tragedy of this case that these young men are getting prison sentences today. But this court cannot allow this level of violence, with rolling attacks spilling over into peoples' kava clubs or private residence, especially when in the name of the inter college rivalry. That is simply demented and wrong," said the judge.

Nesiasi Kamoto (49) was found guilty of discharging a a .22 rifle to intimidate his relatives, who were living at his tax allotment in Tofoa. He will be sentenced at the Nuku'alofa Supreme Court. on 28 October. “This should be a salient reminder to owners and licensed holders how important it is to ensure safe and secure storage of firearms," said the judge.

Prisoner Piliote Uasike (26) was sentenced to three-years for possessing of 4.66 grams of methamphetamine, found on him. A repeat drug offender, he is already in prison serving time on other drugs offences.

Six new judges have been appointed to Tonga's Court of Appeal. The increase is to ensure availability for each session.