Results for imprisonment

Siaosi Helu (36) was sentenced today to one-year imprisonment for possession 0.04 gram of methamphetamine found hidden inside his underpants, during a routine body search by Police, when arrested for public drunkenness at Fasi.

Tupou Tafuna (39) and his wife ‘Amelia (32) were jailed for possessing 3.82 grams of methamphetamines and 22.60 grams of cannabis, after Police received information they were selling the drugs at home in Sopu.

Lisiate Lakalaka (21) was sentenced to 16-months imprisonment for serious housebreaking and theft of electronics goods valued at $10,900 pa’anga, at 'Anana. The offender had previous convictions.

Samuela Fiefia (26) was sentenced to eight months imprisonment for possession of 1.19 grams methamphetamine and possession 4.27 grams of cannabis seized at his home in Ma'ufanga.

A 19-year-old was sentenced on August 24 to four and a half-years imprisonment for serious sexual offences, including sodomy and serious indecent assault as well as housebreaking. The Lord Chief Justice directed the identity of the two victims must not be published in Tonga.

A 24-year-old man was sentenced today to four-years and six-months imprisonment for causing grievous harm, when he hit a man on the head with an iron rod and then punched another. His co-accused received a suspended sentence for a lesser count.

Siosaia Tu Maile (20) was sentenced yesterday to eight-years imprisonment for the manslaughter death of Ned Cook (67), the Salvation Army Team Leader in Nuku'alofa in 2020, who was punched in the face when he was walking home from an evening out. "In that split second of senseless brutality, one life was ended and the liberty of another must now be severely curtailed," said the Chief Justice. He noted that in Tonga, some in the community tend to resort to violence to address any annoyance, no matter how small. “This case must serve to deter others from such behaviour, which will be met with severe sentences from the Courts.”

Sione Pouono (20) was sentenced to five-years imprisonment for unlawful possession of illicit drugs and grievous bodily harm, when he severed another man's finger with a chopping knife at Lapaha. "Methamphetamine is a scourge to societies everywhere that has affected a great deal of harm and misery. The distribution and use of methamphetamine in Tonga is a significant government and community concern,” said the judge.

Tevita Tukitoa (47) was sentenced to three-years six-months imprisonment for committing indecent assault on a child under the age of 12. “The protection of young children deserves nothing less,” said the Supreme Court judge.