Samuela Hafoka (24) who was convicted of serious housebreaking and theft of goods valued at around $20,000 from a home at Pili, received a fully suspended sentence at the Supreme Court in Nuku'alofa.
He pleaded guilty upon arraignment on April 26.
Lord Chief Justice O.G. Paulsen on July 1, sentenced the accused to two-years imprisonment for serious housebreaking and one year nine months on theft, which is served concurrently with count one.
He then fully suspended the sentences.
This was after taking into account the accused’s guilty plea and his pre-sentence report from the Probabtion Office stating his remorse and that he had taken steps to better his life, including completing a Certificate in Carpentry.
The accused is currently working to support his children as a single father, while aiming to continue further studies, among other submissions, the Court was told.
It is understood his co-accused was recently arrested by Police in relation to these offences. He is expected to appear at the Supreme Court on July 19.
The suspended sentence is based on conditions, that the accused must not commit any offence punishable by imprisonment during suspension, he is placed under probation and must undertake 100 hours community work by cleaning public areas in Nuku’alofa, attend alcohol abuse course at the Salvation Army, and other conditions.
He was also warned that failure to comply with these conditions, means he may be required to serve the sentence imposed.
Meanwhile, the charges stated the goods stolen were of a total value of $20,570 pa'anga.
In February last year, the accused and the other person had broken into a home and stolen valuables, including beds, chairs, filing cabinets, drawers, a washing machine, clothes, stoves and other household items.