Sosefo Kanongata’a (32) was jailed for serious housebreaking and theft of over 400 perfume oil and lotions worth over $16,000 pa'anga, among other goods, from a home business in Ma’ufanga.

His co-accused, Taniela Hikila (32) received a suspended sentence for receiving the stolen property.

Hon. Justice P. Tupou KC sentenced the two men on 28 February at the Supreme Court in Nuku’alofa. Both pleaded guilty.

The offending was on a Friday night in June 2022, when Kangongata'a and two others, Mr. Latu and Mr. Vaitohi were playing cards at Hikila’s house. At around 10:00pm, Kanongata’a disappeared. At around 2:00am, Latu and Vaitohi left to go to Latu's house.

The judge said, on thei way they met Kanongata'a who had four pillowcases filled with items. He asked the two to take two pillowcases to Hikila, while he left with the other two.

Latu and Vaitohi returned to Hikila's house with the pillowcases and told him it was from the Kangongata’a.

Inside the pillowcases were 221 perfumed oils, 268 sprays, 61 colognes, a rabbit clave, five deodorants, shoes, two slippers, perfume sets, eight lipsticks, 11 packets of extra gum, three packages of mint lollies, five boxes of extra gum, and three lotion bottles worth $14,565 pa’anga.

The value of the items contained in the two pillowcases that was with Hikila was worth $1,600.

The items were stolen from Lieni Fifita's house at Ma'ufanga, who operated a small business selling various items from her home, including perfume, lotions, and various other items. 

Kanongata’a has previous convictions.

Hikila had no previous related offence.

The judge sentenced Kanongata'a to two-years and three-months imprisonment. The final nine-months is suspended, on conditions. He is now serving of 18-months, at Hu'atolitoli Prison.

Hikila was sentenced to three-months imprisonment for receiving the stolen property. This was fully suspended for one-year, on conditions that includes carrying out 40-hours of community service.