By Linny Folau

Timote ‘Aho’atu (44) was sentenced to two-years nine-months imprisonment for causing grievous bodily harm to Siaosi Na'a, whom he shot with a pistol in 2021.

The shooting was triggered after a fight between the two men at a night club on Vuna Road, two-months earlier.

Hon. Mr Justice Niu sentenced him on March 9 at the Nuku’alofa Supreme Court.

He pleaded guilty to shooting the victim with a pistol, causing injuries to his right arm and chest.

The summary of facts stated that the accused went to the home of Kemio Sika 
at Havelu on 5 July 2021, where the victim and several other boys were located.

He said the accused took out the pistol and shot the victim on his right arm and the bullet travelled through his chest and was lodged on the left wall of the chest and that it is still there up to now.

"The bullet missed the heart, lungs and major blood vessels. Siaosi was discharged from hospital after five-days." 

The accused also told police that after committing the offence, he went and threw the pistol into the sea at Faua Wharf. Police had searched for it but could not find it.

Deportation

Married with children, he was deported from Australia in 2016 for domestic violence. He worked here as a mechanic for heavy machinery.

Probation told the judge, that he was remorseful and repentant for what he had done to the victim.

In addition, the victim admitted that he had the fight with the accused at the night club on Vuna Road.

The judge said the law required the accused to complain to the police if he felt that the victim had unfairly and unlawfully done him wrong.

"That law stops you and prohibits you from punishing or killing that person who has wronged you. If there was no such law then there would be lawlessness."

“Your sentence must reflect the complete rejection and condemnation by society of what you have done and the upholding of the law,” said the judge.

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