Sione Vasi (35) was sentenced to one year six-months imprisonment, which was fully suspended for possessing 2.8 grams of methamphatamine in 'Utulau.

Hon Justice Niu sentenced him on February 10, at the Nuku'alofa Supreme Court, after he pleaded guilty to the offence last year.

The Court heard on July 28, 2018 Police had reasonable grounds to suspect that the accused had illicit drugs at a plantation, where he lived at in 'Utulau.

Police obtained a search warrant and went to the tax allotment and found the 2.8 grams of methamphetamine in a bag, which belonged to the accused.

The judge said, the accused had two previous offences, one in 2006 for assault. He was fined $100 and paid another $100 as compensation. The other was in 2009 when he was convicted of theft and was fined $50.

The accused then, unfortunately, fell into company of persons who used drugs.

“From 2015 up to now you have been using the drug methamphetamine, because you say it gives you strength to do your work at the plantation,” said the judge.

However, since the accused had no previous drug offence, entered a guilty plea and expressed remorse, he was sentenced to one-year six-months.

For suspension, whole or part of that sentence largely depended on whether& the accused was likely to make use of the suspension, meaning that he will change and be a law abiding citizen and never to return to court again.

The judge said, the accused’s remorse, clean drug record, guilty plea and his willingness to undertake a drug awareness course showed that he was likely to make use of the suspension of his sentence.

Justice Niu suspended the whole of the sentence for three-years on conditions that the accused must not commit any offence punishable by imprisonment, complete the drug and alcohol awareness course of the Salvation Army and serve 80-hours community service.

The illicit drug was ordered to be destroyed.