By Linny Folau

A man was sentenced to 18-months imprisonment for two counts of serious indecent assault of a young girl in Tongatapu.

Hon. Mr Justice Niu sentenced him at the Nuku’alofa Supreme Court this week.

He also ordered that no details be published that names or may identify the complainant in this case.

The accused who had one previous conviction for drunkenness changed his plea to guilty 
on the day of his trial.

The judge said in considering the sentence, such as has been done by the judges in the five cases referred to by Crown, as well as other cases of serious indecent assault, he had to uphold the seriousness with which the offences with regard to women and to young girls are regarded. 

"We all protect the women and girls."

“In addition, the law provides that the sentence for serious indecent assault may be up to five-years imprisonment because of the seriousness of such conduct. I agree with both the probation officer and Crown counsel that the appropriate sentence for his offences is imprisonment,” he said.

“As for suspension of that imprisonment or part of that imprisonment, he agreed that the accused cooperated with the police and that entitled him to some suspension.”

“However, being the breadwinner for his family does not entitle the accused to a full suspension of an imprisonment sentence for a sexual offence such as the one he has committed, because of the seriousness of such offence, said the judge.

He then sentenced him to 18-months imprisonment and suspended the final nine-months for two-years on conditions.