A deterrent sentence was required for serious offences that were committed during the 16/11 riot, Chief Justice Anthony Ford said in the Nuku'alofa Supreme Court on August 22 when he sent three men to jail for three years each.

The three offenders were appearing for sentencing after being found guilty of destruction of buildings during the November 16, 2006 riots in Nuku'alofa.

Talifolau Letisi (34) of Malapo was sentenced to five years imprisonment for his part in the destruction of the Shoreline Building, when he smashed the front windows of the building facing Taufa'ahau Road.

Tavake Tafuna (44) of Matahau was sentenced to four years imprisonment for two counts of damaging the Leiola Duty Free Shop and the Nuku'alofa Club when he smashed the door of the club and threw rocks as well as taking part in the damaging of the Leiola Duty Free Shop.

Hilonimo Ngauamo (49) was sentenced to four years imprisonment for three counts of damaging a government vehicle, housebreaking into Molisi Tonga Supermarket and the damaging of the Chinese Hua Sheng warehouse on Taufa'ahau Road.

Suspended sentence

In sentencing the three men, the Chief Justice Anthony Ford also accepted the submission that a partial suspended sentence was appropriate for each of the accused.

In relation to Talifolau Letisi, he accepted that the accused was generally remorseful and although the charges he faced were serious offences he accepted that his action was not of the most serious nature.

He then suspended the last two years of his sentence for two years from date of release which means Talifolau will only serve three years at Hu'atolitoli Prison.

With regards to Tavake Tafuna, the Chief Justice noted that during the trial by jury the accused denied ever going near Nuku'alofa Club on November 16, and he said that he only walked past Leiola Duty Free and it was already damaged.

"However the jury disbelieved you and Crown Prosecutor 'Aminiasi Kefu described you as one of the ringleaders, and I am certain this is a fair description relating to the two buildings."

The Chief Justice accepted the submission that the accused had accepted the jurors verdict and was generally remorseful, and therefore he suspended the final year of his sentence, meaning he would serve three years in prison.

Chief Justice Ford also suspended the last year of Hilonima Ngauamo 's four years sentence, meaning he will serve three years in prison.

Multiple offences

The three men were amongst seven men charged with multiple offences relating to the riots of November 16. They were in the fourth group trial held earlier in May at the Supreme Court.

At the conclusion of the trial the jurors acquitted four of the accused while the three men who faced multiple offences were acquitted on some of their charges.

But they were found guilty on charges on which they were sentenced.