By Linny Folau

Kelikupa Maile (37) was sentenced to two-years six-months imprisonment for convictions on numerous charges, including serious housebreaking and theft of goods valued at $11,523 pa’anga from a house at Kahana Lagoon in Halaleva.

He was sentenced by Magistrate Tu’akalau on 11 October at the lower court in Nuku’alofa, after he pleaded guilty to four charges that included possession of 0.42 grams of methampehtamine and utensils.

The Magistrate stated that the offending was on 30 October 2022 at Halaleva, at around 9:00pm when the complaint Shenghu Wu returned to his house situated at Kahana Lagoon, and found the door open. Upon entering he found his clothes scattered on the floor and as he tidied up, he found numerous items missing.

These included two iPhones and a Samsung mobile, a white table, bags and other goods with a total value of $11,523 pa’anga. He lodged a complaint to police, who attended the scene, On security video footage they saw a vehicle [used by the defendant] exiting from the parking area at the Lagoon. They tried to stop it but he fled so they pursued the vehicle in a chase and managed to stop him at Mataki’eua.

The defendant got out of the vehicle and ran off. Police chased and arrested him. In his pants pocket they found one pack containing a Class A drug, weighing 0.42 grams.

In addition, when Police carried out a search of his vehicle and various goods from the complainant’s house were found, as well as $400 cash found on him. He admitted to the offences.

Aggravating factors against the defendeant included having previous convictions for similar offences, for which he had already been imprisoned. “Housebreaking and theft are serious offences, which are affecting our society,” said the Magistrate.

Despite the defendant entering a late guilty plea and his cooperation with Police it was not enough for partial suspension of his sentence, due to reasons pointed out in the Prosecution’s submission.

“However, the defendant submitted on his behalf references from his church, the town officer of Kolomotu’a and his wife, showing there is some change in his life.”

The court then deemed it was appropriate to suspend part of his sentence and give him the opportunity to rehabilitate and change his life around for the better in order to take care of his family.

The Magistrate sentenced Maile to two-years six-months imprisonment, with the final three-months suspended for three-years on conditions. This includes not committing any offences while on probation, he must carry out 60-hours of community service and must complete a Salvation Army course on illicit drugs.

Failure to comply with the orders of the court, means the defendant will be required to serve his full prison term.

The illicit drugs will be destroyed and all other goods forfeited, including the $400 pa’anga cash seized, ordered the Magistrate.