Fisi’ifiusati Naufahu (26) who pleaded guilty to reckless driving, when he crashed his vehicle into a fence and tree at Tatakamotonga on eastern Tongatapu was fined $200 pa’anga, at the Fasi Magistrate's Court.

This must be paid within one week or he will go to prison for two-weeks.

Magistrate Ma’u fined him on 21 February at the lower court. He initially pleaded guilty on 8 February and was on bail for sentencing.

On 22 October 2022, he was charged for driving his vehicle in a reckless manner, when he swerved to the side of the road and crashed into the fence of a water supply system and a mango tree. He had one passenger and fortunately was not injured.

The Prosecution submitted the aggravating factor against him was that he was a police officer [when he committed the offence] a trustworthy position, where he was expected to carry out police duties diligently. 

In addition to speeding between 60 to 70 km/h, the defendant accepted from the evidence that he was driving under the influence of alcohol.

The only mitigating factors were his guilty plea, having no previous conviction and his cooperation with police.

The Magistrate in his written judgment accepted the Prosecution's submission that a fine be imposed.

A starting point of $400 fine was set but due to his guilty plea, having no previous conviction and cooperation with police, it was reduced to $200 pa'anga to be paid within one-week or be imprisoned for two-weeks.