By Linny Folau

‘Ana Lenilisi Tauvaka (42) received a suspended sentence today for receiving more than $10,000 pa'anga worth of stolen goods from her son, after he had stolen truckloads of goods from the warehouse of his employer, Adiloa’s Store in Nuku'alofa.

Hon. Mr Justice Niu sentenced her at the Nuku’alofa Supreme Court. She was found guilty of the offence, after a trial in September this year.

The judge said her son, Kisione was working for the business Adiloa and he took the key to the warehouse of the business at Haveluloto and stole stoves and freezers from the warehouse on or about 16 June 2020. 

“He brought those goods on a truck to the home of Fatu Taulanga at 'Utulau where you and Kisione were living at the time. The accused helped Kisione unload those goods into Fatu's house. 


“On 18 June 2020, that is, two-days later, Kisione did the same thing and brought a truckload of washing machines, stoves, bicycles, freezers and lamps and again you helped unload them into Fatu's house,” he said.

The accused and Kisione subsequently moved the goods from Fatu's house and hid them in the bush at the back of the property. The reason why she did that was so that Fatu would not be implicated or involved if the police were to find them in his house. 


The accused and Kisione again then took some of the goods to a home at Sia'atoutai and another in 'Utulau. 


On 23 June 2020, the police came searched those three homes and recovered some of the goods stolen from Adiloa.

According to the evidence, the total value of the goods stolen and received on both 15 and 18 June 2020, was $14,714.50, and that the total value of the goods which were found and recovered in the searches carried out was $13,425.50.

Chance to rehabilitate

The judge said the accused has no previous conviction and that her husband just died in March this year, leaving her with eight children, many of whom are still dependent on her.

“Probation reported that she is remorseful and feels extremely shameful for having been convicted of a crime and which has ruined her reputation and that of her family.”

Probation recommended that she has good prospect of rehabilitating herself to avoid further offending. 

“In addition, the Crown counsel recommended a sentence of two-years imprisonment and that it be fully suspended in view of her cooperation with the police during the searches carried out and in view of the real likelihood that she will rehabilitate yourself. I agree with the recommendations of Crown counsel,” he said.

"I am satisfied that you have truly put yourself to the task of rehabilitating your life by devoting your time and energy into weaving mats and such like for the maintenance of your family, now that your husband has passed away earlier this year."

The judge was also mindful that of the total value of goods she received, some $13,425.50 worth of those goods were recovered, because she cooperated with the police to recover them.

He then sentenced to two-years imprisonment fully suspended for two-years, on conditions, that she serve 40-hours community service.

She must also not commit an offence punishable by imprisonment, during her suspension period.