Setaleki Tu'itavake (33) received a suspended sentence of 18 months imprisonment today for the theft of barbed wire and diamond wire, committed in October 2007.

Setaleki of Folaha, a lay preacher with the Free Wesleyan Church of Tonga and a former student of the Sia'atoutai Theological College, pleaded guilty to three counts of theft.

Two counts of theft related to five rolls of diamond wire and another related to five rolls of barbed wire worth more than $1,000 . which he stole from his employer Peni Funaki of Fasi mo e Afi.

Chief Justice Anthony Ford in his sentencing suspended 18 months imprisonment for two years based on two conditions that Sitaleki complete 100 hours voluntary service under the supervision of his probation officer and he is to pay $700 compensation to the complainant.

The mitigating factors included Setaleki's guilty plea, he had cooperated fully with the police and his apology to the complainant was accepted. He had no previous convictions.

Mr Justice Ford told Setaleki that although he yielded to temptation to commit the crime he should have known better considering he attended the Sia'atoutai Theological College and is a lay preacher involved in church activities.

"Theft carries a maximum imprisonment of seven years on each count. And if it weren't for your early guilty plea I would have imposed on you a two years imprisonment sentence," emphasized the Chief Justice.

"You are a married man with two very young children and your wife is expecting your third child. You are a good citizen and the court is prepared to give you a final chance," said the Chief Justice.