Crown prosecutors allege that an assault on 'Inoke Pepa (20) by two police officers led to the young man's death early on 16 November 2012, at Vaini, Tongatapu.

The victim received serious head injuries.

Two policemen, Samisoni Taufa and Sosefo Masalu, are charged with manslaughter, with an alternative charge of grievous bodily harm.

The Preliminary Inquiry into the death of the victim began at the Nuku'alofa Magistrate's Court on Tuesday, June 4 with the Crown Prosecutor Sione Sisifa calling six witnesses to give evidence.

The inquiry held before Magistrate Salesi Mafi was adjourned to June 24 for chambers to set a date for the doctor who conducted the post-mortem examination on the victim to give evidence at the lower court.

Joint enterprise

The Crown Prosecutor alleged that the officers were responsible in a joint enterprise for causing the death, and in the alternative charge grievous bodily harm to the victim, in the early hours of 16 November 2012.

He told the court the accused officers attended a drinking party at a residence of another officer at Vaini. At about 3:00am the victim and others joined in and were told to leave.

'Inoke left and came back with other boys to the front of the residence and challenged them for a fight. Both accused and others got up and chased after the victim and the other boys, he said.

"The Crown alleges the two accused caught up with the victim and assaulted him causing serious injuries to his head and caused his death," said the prosecutor.

The accused who were stationed at the Vaini Police Station were represented by 'Ofa Pouono.