Results for Hon Mr Justice Cato

Siosateki Uikelotu Tu‘itufu (19) was sentenced to life imprisonment after a jury found him guilty of murdering 18-year-old ‘Ailine Finau, whom he repeatedly assaulted with a machete in February last year.

Siosateki Uikelotu Tu’itufu (19) has pleaded not guilty to the murder of ‘Ailine Finau (18) whom he is accused to have assaulted repeatedly with a machete on February 13, 2018. The murder trial started at the Supreme Court in Nuku'alofa today.

The final submissions by legal counsel in the trial of ‘Atonio Moeaki (40) charged with the murder of a young dentist, Dr Sione Feo Lau’i (23,) was completed on January 28 at the Supreme Court in Nuku’alofa.

The Crown in opening its case today in the murder trial of a Chinese couple, Mr Feng Sheng Pei and Mrs Su Jie Wen, who were found with multiple stab wounds at a vegetable plantation last year, submitted that the accused Sitiveni ‘Esi Muli (17) had intended to commit the murders.

Sitiveni ‘Esi Muli (17) today pleaded not guilty to multiple charges, including murder in relation to the death of a Chinese couple, Mr Feng Sheng Pei and Mrs Su Jie Wen who were found dead with multiple stab wounds at a bush allotment last year. A co-accused Sami Kaho Jr. (15) will now become a witness for the Crown, after charges against him were dismissed.

Sami Likiliki Fisilau (52) was sentenced to two and a half-years imprisonment after pleading guilty to serious bodily harm and domestic violence committed on his 44-year-old wife in Vaini last year. “Domestic issues are no justification or excuse for violence and domestic abuse will be met with firm penalties," Mr Justice Cato told him.

Siosaia Latu was found guilty of serious arson of a motor vehicle valued at $16,000 pa’anga at a home in Havelu in November 2015. After a fight earlier that day, he encouraged his uncle to burn a van.

Uasi Musika (48) was convicted on two counts of possession of cannabis seeds and plant material seized by Tonga Police at a property in Fo’ui last year.

Prosecutions for illicit drugs in Tonga may be in jeopardy, a judge has warned, after discharging a man charged with possession of methamphetamine, due to the prosecution's failure to admit analyst evidence, at the Supreme Court in Nuku'alofa on August 29. Hon. Mr Justice Cato said new legislation is urgently required in Tonga regarding analyst evidence of drug identity or there will be serious consequences for law enforcement and the health of Tongans.