Lemoto Lui (45) was sentenced today to four-years imprisonment for two counts of serious indecent assault committed on a young girl in 2020.

Hon. Mr Justice Niu sentenced him at the Nuku’alofa Supreme Court, after finding him guilty of the offences in a trial.

The judge said the accused’s offending had severely and adversely affected the complainant, as shown in the victim impact report.

“The Probation Officer said of her concern at the rising number of cases involving indecent assault and I agree with her. That means that despite the sentences, which have been imposed by the Courts to try and stop such offences from being committed, the offences have not only continued but they have risen as well,” he said.

"That is of concern. If the sentences imposed have been the maximum sentence of five-years imprisonment and the offences have continued to rise as they do, then one may properly think that Parliament may consider increasing the penalty for the offence."

The judge sentenced him to four-years imprisonment.

The judge said the offence was premeditated and Lui was  not coerced by anyone.

The final year of the four-year sentence was suspended for three-years, on conditions.

The judge also ordered that no details shall published in which the identity of the complainant in this case may be revealed.