'Oto'ota Tapa'atoutai (64) of Patangata, Nuku'alofa, was found guilty of false pretences at the Nuku'alofa Supreme Court on May 5.

Mr Justice Anthony Ford sentenced 'Oto'ota to one year imprisonment, which was to be suspended for two years.

Mr Justice Ford said that he had taken into consideration 'Oto'ota's age and that she had no previous court convictions.

It was reported that on or about August 9, 2004, at Matahau, 'Oto'ota obtained from Lesieli Mafi a 12 foot mat, a 15 foot mat and a ngatu launima valued at $1,500 pa'anga. 'Oto'ota told Lesieli that the mat and the ngatu were to pay for the duty of two cars. 'Oto'ota promised that one of these cars was for Lesieli, but Lesieli never saw 'Oto'ota again after she parted with the mats and the ngatu.

The legal counsel for the Crown was Sela Raasch and representing the accused was Sifa Tu'utafaiva.