A total of 150 accused, including 147 students from Tupou College and three adults, have been charged in relation to the violent attack at a home in Tofoa on July 18. A new charge of unlawful assembly has been filed against each of the accused who have all been released on bail until October.

The Deputy Police Commissioner ‘Unga Fa’aoa said they had charged 147 students, a Tupou College teacher and two bus drivers in relation to the attack, and each accused had been charged with conspiracy to commit willful damage and a new charge of unlawful assembly.

The 22 accused who were held in police custody were released on bail today, after they were variously charged with trespassing, housebreaking and causing grievous bodily harm, while one student was charged with attempted arson last week.

He said the three adults are also facing aiding criminal damage. Most of the students were released on bail last week until October.

Committal

The Deputy Commissioner said the case was adjourned to October to allow prosecutors time to prepare their case and evidence to be submitted to the defence side.

The case would then be submitted to the Magistrate’s Court under a new procedure of paper committal to decide whether there is a case for trial at the Supreme Court. The former procedure of holding a Preliminary Inquiry in open court had been done away, he said.