A 27-year-old man from Nukunuku received a one-year suspended sentence today on two counts of housebreaking into the Shoreline office and the Nuku'alofa Club in the riots of November 16, 2006.

Salesi 'Aho appeared before Chief Justice Anthony Ford who told the accused his offending related to his entering into the Shoreline office and Nuku'alofa Club as a trespasser.

The court was told that the accused followed the crowd to watch the looting but made a wrong decision and joined in.

"I accept that you are remorseful and a first offender and if it wasn't for your guilty plea I would have imposed on you a one year imprisonment sentence," said the Chief Justice.

He also took account of other mitigating factors such as his cooperation with the police before suspending the whole imprisonment sentence for a period of two years on condition that Salesi completes 70 hours of community work under the supervision of his probation officer.

"The court is giving you a final chance and if you carry out the community work you won't go to prison."

"You seem to be a decent person and your action that day was out of character and by pleading guilty in the first opportunity you have credit for that," added Chief Justice Ford.