A 29-year-old man from Tatakamotonga was found guilty of manslaughter by negligence by a jury on May 6 at the Nuku'alofa Supreme Court, following a four and a half days trial last week.

Sione Fukofuka had initially pleaded not guilty to the one charge of manslaughter by negligence over the death of an elderly man Viliami Falekaono who was hit by his minibus on Christmas day in 2009 at Tatakamotonga.

The seven-member jury found him guilty after they deliberated for about an hour on the afternoon of Friday, May 6 at the Supreme Court.

Chief Justice Hon Michael Dishington Scott ordered for a probation report to be submitted on May 17 before he sets date for sentencing.

The convicted driver a first time offender was released on bail.

In Tonga manslaughter by negligence carries a maximum imprisonment sentence not exceeding 10 years.

The Crown Prosecutor Sione Sisifa called eight witnesses to give evidence in the trial.