By Linny Folau
A final warning rang out in Tonga’s Supreme Court as a repeat offender narrowly avoided jail — spared only by a glowing letter from his employer.
Lord Chief Justice Bishop sentenced Bijay Singh on 20 January at the Supreme Court in Nuku'alofa after he pleaded guilty to four charges including forgery and obtaining money and goods by false pretence.
Singh had previously been given a suspended sentence in April last year for similar offending — what the Court described as a final opportunity to change course.
The first charge related to an incident on 17 April 2025, when Singh issued a false cheque with intent to deceive Palu Trade Vaini Service Station using the Sean & Huberto Auto Repair chequebook without authorisation.
He also pleaded guilty to knowingly dealing with a forged document.
The third charge was obtaining $200 by false pretence from Manusiu Tau’ataina after giving her a $300 cheque from the Sean & Huberto Auto Repair chequebook that was false, causing her to hand over the money.
Singh further admitted obtaining $100 worth of fuel by false pretence from Manusiu Tau’ataina in the same manner — presenting a false $300 cheque and thereby causing her to provide the fuel.
According to the pre-sentence report, Singh grew up in Fiji and came to Tonga on employment visas in 2015 and again in 2017. He has remained in the Kingdom since then. He is in a de-facto relationship, has three young children, and is the sole breadwinner for his family.
In sentencing, Lord Chief Justice Bishop said:
“You have pleaded guilty to forgery, knowingly dealing with a forged document, obtaining money and goods by false pretences to the value of $300. Forgery is becoming increasingly common here in Tonga and it is the duty of the Court to stamp out this problem which makes commercial life in the Kingdom more difficult and which causes loss to innocent people. In your case, there was deception, there was dishonesty and not all of the money has been repaid and not all the victims have forgiven you."
The Court heard that Singh is currently employed at HM Imports Tonga earning $850 per week. His employer has arranged for direct instalment payments to those he owes.
The Probation Officer assessed Singh as being at high risk of re-offending due to his previous criminal record and deceptive conduct, recommending a partial suspension on appropriate conditions.
The Lord Chief Justice acknowledged that Singh pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity, but said most of the material before the Court pointed toward imprisonment.
"You have done it before, you have been given every chance, probation and short sentences of imprisonment yet nothing seems to be working. We must remove you from society so that the public are protected.
“That was my thought initially, then I saw the letter from your employer. He says some surprising things about you. He says that in your job, you are the best in Tonga.
“He says that you have stopped your alcohol consumption and that he, very sensibly, has made arrangements so that your various debts are repaid. He is doing that by making deductions from your wages. You owe him a considerable debt of gratitude."
In considering whether to suspend the sentence, the Court applied the principles of Mo'unga. While noting Singh is not young, the Judge took into account his early guilty plea and cooperation with Police.
“As such, taking all these matters together. I am very reluctant to do what, in fact, I have decided I will do, which is to suspend the whole of your sentence for three years on conditions,” he stated.
Singh was sentenced to eight months’ imprisonment, fully suspended for three years on conditions.
"This is your last chance, if you behave in this way again, no one will save you."
The Court ordered that any breach of the conditions will result in the full eight-month sentence being activated and served in custody.
