Leuma La’ulu (52) a Samoan national living in Tonga, was sentenced to six and a half years at Hu'atolitoli Prison for indecently assaulting a nine-year-old girl at 'Utulau in July earlier this year.

Mr Justice Charles Cato sentenced him at the Supreme Court in Nuku'alofa on December 7 after he pleaded guilty to charges of having carnal knowledge of a girl and indecent assault on a child. The hefty sentence was imposed to strongly deter others from committing such a serious crime.

The Crown had told the court that Leuma had lived in Tonga for  three years. He was brought to work at a chicken farm in 'Utuau where the victim and her family lived nearby. The victim's parents then became closely acquainted with the offender who would visit the victim's house occasionally.

In July 2012 at 'Utulau the victim's parents came to Nuku'alofa to sell their produce at the market and the offender was at the victim's home where he committed the offences on the young girl. This course of conduct continued during July and the victim had indicated that it happened numerous times particularly when her parents were in town selling their produce.

The accused would occasionally give the victim $1-$5 pa'anga to keep her quiet, stated the Crown.

The matter was brought to light when the victim's Principal at her Government Primary School received a notification from the Ministry of Education office to look into a complaint made by the victim's grandmother. The principal and another education officer thoroughly questioned the victim and she confessed in detail what the offender had done to her.

The accused is a first time offender had admitted the offending in his record of interview, charge form and voluntary statement.

The imprisonment was to start immediately.