Fa‘alongo Mafi (24) received a suspended sentence of one year today in the Nuku'alofa Supreme Court, for taking part in the damaging of the Adiloa Store on Railway Road during the November 16, 2006 riots in Nuku'alofa.

Chief Justice Anthony Ford told the accused that his offending was serious but his part was not one of the most serious offending.

On this particular day, the accused arrived at the scene of Adiloa Store and it was already being damaged and looted and although he did not enter the shop he nonetheless took part in the offences.

Fa'alongo also stole a bicycle that was thrown outside the shop and road home on it but the police later confiscated it.

The Chief Justice imposed on him a one year prison sentence, but after considering his guilty plea and having no previous convictions he suspended the whole term for two years.

The suspended sentence is based on two conditions that the accused remain under probation for two years and is to carry out 50 hours of voluntary work under the supervision of the probation officer.