Results for imprisonment

Siosifa Vailima Tuita (52) was sentenced to 12-years imprisonment for manslaughter of his twin sister in Falaleu, Vava'u, last year. During sentencing today, Lord Chief Justice Whitten KC said the accused stabbed his sister multiple times with a knife, “in what can only be characterised as a heinous and tragic crime of extreme brutality.”

Eight local people in Vava’u were sentenced to between three years to 13.5 years imprisonment for their opportunistic roles in handling blocks of cocaine from a large shipment, found washed up on 'Otualea Beach there in 2021. They were caught in an investigation that started when children at Holeva picked up a brick of cocaine on the beach and handed it in to authorities.

Siaosi Helu (36) was sentenced to four-months imprisonment of possession of illicit drugs, namely of 0.47 grams of cannabis in Nuku’alofa in 2021. His co-accused Akuila 'Aho had his sentence fully suspended. 'Aho was found not guilty on a further charge after evidence from drugs testing was ruled inadmissible.

Moli Tafuna (56) was jailed for charges including possession of 15.66 grams of cannabis and 0.26 grams of methamphetamine committed in 2021, on Tongatapu.

‘Alifeleti Uasi (20) and Niviko Maea (18) have been jailed for serious housebreaking and theft of $68,971 pa'anga from a residence at Halaleva in 2022.

A prisoner, Motuku Kafalava (25), who is serving a life imprisonment sentence for murder, was sentenced to concurrent jail time, for possession of a substantial amount of methamphetamine. His 24-year-old co-accused, Latu Veamatahau got a lengthy jail term.

A teenager, Semisi Peleketi Vea was sentenced to three-years eight months imprisonment for causing grievous bodily harm to a 20-year-old man using a machete, in 2022.

Lautaimi Makafilia (31) was sentenced to four-years imprisonment for the serious housebreaking and theft of electronic goods, whose value exceeded $82,000 pa’anga, from Lord's Mobile in Nuku'alofa last year.

Koionia Latu ‘Ekuasi (32) was sentenced to three-years imprisonment for forgery and obtaining over $20,000 pa'anga by false pretences, when she misused money for her sister's wedding. Three other charges related to a separate fake car dealer business scam, where the offending was a planned financial criminal enterprise, orchestrated over a period of at least 15-months and bilked money from three separate victims.