12 lockdown offenders fined in Nuku'alofa [1]
Tuesday, April 21, 2020 - 17:44
Twelve accused pleaded guilty today and were sentenced to fines of $1000 pa'anga each for breaching the national lockdown notice, at Fasi Magistrate’s Court.
The Crown Prosecution said these were offences made under sections 38 and 39 of the Emergency Management Act.
Forty cases relating to breaches of the lockdown in Nuku'alofa were scheduled for today.
Nine persons pleaded not guilty and subsequent dates have been set for trial.
Five cases were adjourned.
However, 14 persons did not attend the lower court and bench warrants were issued for their arrest.
Prosecution said that the charges were either obstruction of an authorised officer or failure to comply with the directions of an authorised officer, during curfew.
All arrests were made during the lockdown in the Nukualofa area.
Earlier cases
On April 17, three people pleaded guilty to similar offences and were sentenced to $1000 fine each, at the same lower court.
Two did not attend so bench warrants were issued for their arrests.
Tonga Police have to date made 300 plus arrests nationwide, since their operation began last month, when the State of Emergency was declared, due to COVID-19 prevention efforts.
The first group offenders during the lockdown, started to appear at the lower courts last week, with most guilty pleas fined for similar offences.