Results for imprisonment

Fetu’utaha Sikalu (34) was jailed for charges including possession of 0.15 grams of methamphetamine seized at Ha’ateiho. While, his 22-year-old co-accused, Sefo Tonga received a suspended sentence for possession of drug utensils.

‘Eva ‘Ailolo (aka ‘Eva ‘i Pomana Tau’ese) is serving nine months imprisonment for embezzlement of $72,857 pa’anga from Tonga Development Bank accounts, while working as a teller in Vava’u.

Hemaloto Manukailea (50) was sentenced to 19-months imprisonment with part suspended for causing serious bodily harm, when he punched another man, fracturing his jaw, outside a bar in Nuku’alofa, on a night out of drinking alcohol. “The public must be protected from violence and the streets of Tonga must be safe places for the community. The custody threshold has been passed; this offence is so serious only a prison sentence is merited,” the judge said.

A father of four, Sosaia Fifita (36) was jailed for charges including possession of 1.16 grams of methamphetamine during a drug bust in Tofoa last year. A repeat offender, his problem with methamphetamine use dated back to 2009. The judge set the starting point at 24 months “in the light of his continued and determined drug dealing.”

'Aisea Havea (35) and Kaniteli Guttenbeil (33) who were caught red-handed sitting in their car with eight small packets of cannabis and a pipe in an open bag between them at Popua, were found guilty of possession and sentenced to jail terms.

Pita Talanoa (44) was sentenced to nine-years 10-months imprisonment on three separate sets of offences concerning illicit drugs including possession of 24.43 grams methamphetamine, as well as being re-sentenced for a further drugs offence. The judge said Talanoa's offending was remorseless: “He will serve a substantial sentence, because this offending deserves it. ...the public need to be protected from his venal behaviour.”

An intoxicated driver, Tepi Angilau, is serving 10-months in prison for causing serious bodily harm to her partner at the time, who was a passenger, when she was driving under the influence of alcohol on a night out.

Siosiua Vea (37) was sentenced to two-years two-months imprisonment, partially suspended, for serious fraudulent conversion, when he scammed $15,000 from a couple whom were paying for a vehicle advertised on facebook.

Sione Pongi (36) is serving 16-months imprisonment for drugs offences, after the Supreme Court replaced his original 10-months sentence imposed by the Magistrates Court, in a successful appeal by the Crown against sentence. “That he cooperated with the police I respectfully consider irrelevant when in reality he was caught red handed,” stated the judge.