Uasila’a Halasima was sentenced to one-year imprisonment for extortion, which was fully suspended at the Magistrate's Court in Nuku'alofa.

The Prosecution confirmed today, his sentence was suspended for two-years on conditions that included 40-hours of community service.

On July 14, the Principal Magistrate convicted the accused of extorting $200 pa’anga from two men of Chinese origin, at the Tanoa Hotel on June 11, 2017.

The two complainants were smoking in the public designated smoking area in front ot the hotel.

However, the accused was a policeman whose job included enforcement of the “No Smoking” in public places, got off a taxi and approached the complainants and got the cash on this Sunday.

Hotel management reported the matter to Police Central.

In addition, Police confirmed today the accused who was suspended after the complaint had now been dismissed from his job.

He was sentenced on July 21, at the lower court.