"You are no doubt the ringleader in the destruction of the Molisi Tonga Supermarket during the riots of November 16, 2006," Chief Justice Anthony Ford told Vilisoni Tauelangi (34) in sentencing him to 11 years imprisonment in Hu'atolitoli Prison today.

Appearing in the Nuku'alofa Supreme Court, Tauelangi of Pea was sentenced on two charges of riotous assembly and the destruction of buildings by rioters namely the Molisi Tonga Supermarket.

Tauelangi poured petrol over goods and set fire to it.

He was tried by a jury on five charges on December 9, 2008 and was found guilty on two charges and acquitted on three charges.

The Chief Justice told Tauelangi the evidence showing he set fire to Molisi was overwhelming and the jurors were correct in finding him guilty of the destruction.

He added that in February 2008 he had sentenced two accused to 11 years in prison in relation to same offences committed at Molisi during the riots. The evidence was clear that there was another man who set fire to the supermarket, "you are that other person," said the Chief Justice.

Ringleader

"And I searched for any disparity in your case relating to them but my search was in vain, there was no disparity," he said.

"It is no doubt that you are the ringleader in the destruction of Molisi. You intended to cause total destruction and it is impossible not to feel sorry for your wife and children but you should have thought of them before you committed this offence."

Chief Justice Ford told him the destruction of a building by rioters carries a maximum imprisonment of 15 years.

He imposed a sentence of 11 years imprisonment for the destruction of Molisi and 20 months for riotous assembly, to be served concurrently making it 11 years in total. Tauelangi had previous convictions.

"This is a very serious offence and a suspended sentence is inappropriate," declared the Chief Justice.

In February 2008 the Chief Justice imposed a sentence of 11 years of imprisonment each for Fiula 'Atuhekaho and Timote Pekipaki for setting fire to and destroying the Molisi Tonga Supermarket and other crimes.