Tomasi Tautahi (36), was given a nine months suspended sentence by Chief Justice Anthony Ford at the Nuku'alofa Supreme Court this morning.

Tautahi of Vaini was charged with two counts of housebreaking in Nuku'alofa and Tofoa during the riot on November 16, 2006.

Chief Justice Anthony Ford's decision to suspend the whole nine months for two years was based on three conditions, that he complete 70 hours community work, attend the Life School Course at the Salvation Army and be placed on probation for two years.

In a summary of facts, the court was told that the accused came to town in a van from Vaini to watch the riots after hearing that Nuku'alofa was on fire. He committed the first housebreaking offence at a Chinese shop opposite the Talamahu Market where he entered and stole goods.

He returned to the vehicle and drove back to Vaini but stopped at Tofoa after seeing people looting the Chinese Golden Fortune store. He went in and stole goods.

Bad decisions

Chief Justice Anthony Ford told the accused that the pattern of his offending is a similar pattern to so many others who have appeared before court, he accepted that he was not one of the rioters and he only came to town to have look but he made bad decisions.



"I accept you are remorseful, and if it were not for your guilty plea I would have imposed a 12 months imprisonment sentence."

Chief Justice told the court after considering Tomasi's early guilty plea, his clean record and cooperation with the police he suspended the whole sentence for a period of two years.

Tomasi was represented by Mana Kaufusi, and 'Aminiasi Kefu appeared for the Crown.