Two youths guilty of armed robbery [1]
Thursday, August 19, 2004 - 17:31. Updated on Monday, May 5, 2014 - 16:53.
Two youths, Halaholo Vete and Pita Latu, were found guilty by Mr Justice McElrea in the Nuku'alofa Supreme Court this morning, on a charge of assault with the intention to rob. Halaholo Vete was also found guilty on a charge of possessing a firearm without a licence.
The Crown Prosecutor ‘Aminiasi Kefu told the court that on 9 May 2001 Halaholo, Pita, and an accomplice, Paseka, who had since died, were driving along Hala 'Alaivahamamao when they saw a Chinese man, Tsay, on the side of the road by his home. He said that Paseka, who was driving stopped the car and told Halaholo and Pita to get Tsay. The two young men jumped on the middle-aged Chinese, and they were joined soon after by Paseka holding a 22 rifle that Halaholo earlier put in the boot of the car.
He said that a scuffle took place and Tsay was hit on the face but while they were trying to force him into their car he broke off and ran into his house, calling for help. The three then hopped back into their car, and Paseka at gun-point ordered another young man, Molonai Holeva who was in the car to drive.
'Aminiasi alleged that on the following evening, May 10, Paseka picked up Halaholo and Pita with the intention to rob small shop at Sopu on the western end of Nuku'alofa, and a bar in the eastern area of Nuku'alofa. He said that they also failed and these cases were not heard in court because of lack of evidence.
Mr Justice McElrea reserved his decision until September 8, and Halaholo was allowed out on bail while Pita remained in prison where he is currently serving a four and a half year sentence for theft, house breaking and arson.
The legal counsel for Halaholo was Laku Niu, and Pita represented himself.