Young drug offender gets chance to change [1]
Wednesday, July 14, 2021 - 17:56
Wesley Fifita (29) who was convicted for possession of 0.04 gram of methamphetamine and 0.66 gram of cannabis at his house in Pili, received a suspended sentence.
Hon Mr Justice Niu sentenced him at the Nuku’alofa Supreme Court, after finding him guilty in a trial. He has no previous conviction.
On June 16, 2020 Police had information that there were drugs being sold at a house at Pili and they went to that house and found the accused and another man there.
The judge said upon searching the house, they found the methamphatamine and cannabis.
"Neither of you admitted whose drug it was and so you were both arrested. But then you told the police that both the drugs were yours and that the other man was innocent and had not known of it. The house was yours and you were the one living in it and the other man was only visiting you that evening."
He said the other man was accordingly released and the accused was charged for possession.
The accused was educated properly, attaining a diploma in business in 2012 at 19. He was employed at the Ports Authority from 2014-19, but was dismissed because of his repeated lateness to work.
"It is clear that you were on the drugs and that was why you were repeatedly late to work. It is also clear that after you were dismissed and had no income to buy the drugs you then dealt in drugs by selling drugs so that you would continue to have drugs for your use, and that you did that until you were caught in June 2020."
He said after the accused was caught with the drugs, his parents got the accused to come back and live with them so that they would watch him. They still do that up to now.
The accused has now found a job.
The judge accepted the probation officer's view that the accused had shown initiative and has rehabilitated himself.
"By finding and keeping a job and secondly by moving back and living with your parents, not only to receive their guidance and teachings, but also to help them financially with your weekly wages from your job. That is a responsible and mature act on your part."
The accused was then sentenced to six-months imprisonment, which was fully suspended for two-years.
This on conditions that he complete the Salvation Army course on drug awareness, must live with his parents unless Court grants him to live elsewhere, among other orders.