Four men have received prison terms for offences related to a home invasion in Sopu on June 10, 2014, where a woman was robbed, tied up and raped.

Two other men have received suspended sentences for their roles in the housebreaking.

The six men who were charged with various offences in relation to the home invasion were sentenced at the Supreme Court in Nuku'alofa.

At about 3:00am, they drove to the victim’s home at Sopu, broke into the house and tied her up, as she was home alone. They had covered their faces with shirts and robbed the residence of goods in excess of $10,000 in value, before fleeing. One of the accucsed raped the female occupant.

The first accused, a 34-year-old man had pleaded guilty to four charges of conspiracy to commit serious housebreaking, conspiracy to commit theft, serious housebreaking and robbery but pleaded not guilty to the rape charge. He will be tried for the rape on a later date in court.

On the other four charges, he was sentenced to six-years imprisonment with the final 18-months suspended on conditions. This means he now serves four and a half-years imprisonment.

Jailed

'Amanaki Tupou’ata (20) who pleaded guilty to four counts of robbery, conspiracy to commit serious housebreaking, conspiracy to commit theft and serious housebreaking was sentenced to four and a half-years imprisonment. The final 18-months was suspended on conditions, which means he serves three-years imprisonment.

Peleto Mo’unga (17) who pleaded guilty to similar charges was sentenced to four-years in prison with the final two-years suspended. He now serves two-years in prison.

Peni Mo’unga (19) who pleaded guilty to the same charges received three and a half-years imprisonment, with the final 18-months suspended on conditions. He serves two-years in prison.

Meanwhile, Siosaia Tu’uhoko (21) and ‘Atunaisa Tupou’ata (23) who pleaded guilty to charges including conspiracy to commit serious housebreaking, conspiracy to commit theft and abetment to housebreaking received fully suspended sentences on conditions.

Tu’uhoko was sentenced to 12-months imprisonment, which was fully suspended on the condition that he undertakes 40-hours community service.

Tupou'ata also sentenced to 12-months imprisonment fully suspended on conditions.