Results for Magistrate's Court

Mo’unga Koluse (45) was sentenced to six-months imprisonment fully suspended for reckless driving causing harm to a man, after he ran over his foot with a police vehicle, when he responded to an incident at Kelana rugby field in Vava’u.

Nelson Siulangapo the 33-year-old man who was arrested and charged in relation to the 124.77grams of methamphetamine seized on Tongatapu in January, is expected to appear at the Magistrate’s Court, on 20 February.

Afimeimo’unga Hola (40) received a suspended sentence of 11 months imprisonment for two counts of using a service to abuse and causing harm by posting an electronic communication. This is the first conviction made under an Electronic Abuse Offences Act in Tonga. Hola broadcasted offences on Facebook and enticed others to commit arson against the plaintiffs and caused them fear and anxiety.

Melekiola Tu’ipulotu, who was convicted of serious bodily harm for using a machete on a 16-year-old boy, was sentenced to one-year imprisonment, fully suspended for two-years at the Nuku'alofa Supreme Court. "I hope that this decision sends a message to our people not to take up a helepelu and use violence to make their points. Self-control is a necessary duty we must all demonstrate as responsible citizens in leading our families and communities," said the Acting Chief Justice.

The Magistrate’s Court in Neiafu is expected to hear the cases of those arrested in relation to the cocaine haul that washed up on Vava'u beaches. The cases will be mentioned on Monday, August 9.

Two men will be tried at the Nuku’alofa Supreme Court on a charge relating to the seizure of just over 2.1 kg of methamphatamine last year. Police allege that the haul had a street value in Tonga of just over $2 million pa'anga.

A Nuku'alofa Supreme Court judge quashed a conviction and sentence against Fangatapu Ngavisi at the lower court for killing a sow, because there was a miscarriage of justice. The appellant had lawful authority under regulation 6 to kill the pig, which damaged the land on which his crops were growing.

A former policeman, Uasila’a Halasima was sentenced to one-year imprisonment for extortion, which was fully suspended at the Magistrate's Court in Nuku'alofa.

Tevita Tu’i Uata, a former Minister of Trade, was found not guilty at the Fasi Magistrate's Court on charges of neglecting to obey and refusal to obey the Nuku'alofa Port Master’s direction, regarding the mooring of the MV Pulupaki.