Crown appeals against discharge of meth smoker [1]
Friday, December 14, 2018 - 18:18. Updated on Monday, December 17, 2018 - 12:33.
An appeal is challenging the decision by a Supreme Court judge to discharge a man who possessed meth.
The Attorney General’s Office has filed a notice of appeal against the sentencing decision by Hon. Mr Justice Laki Niu last month to discharge without conviction, Maika Maile (38) who pleaded guilty to possession of an illicit drug, methamphetamine.
Justice Niu made the discharged on November 26, under the condition that Maile does not commit an offence for two-years. The judge observed that the amount of methamphetamine found on the accused was 0.52 of one gram, and considered that it was not enough for smoking or use by the accused.
The Supreme Court in Nuku'alofa confirmed today that the Notice of Appeal was filed on December 12 to the Court of Appeal of Tonga. The appeal will be heard in the Appeal Court's first session in April 2019.