Results for Nuku'alofa Supreme Court

Vili Lausi’i (46) is serving three months in prison for pointing a loaded .22 semi-automatic rifle at a couple who were driving in Lapaha, while he was assisting a community night patrol in December last year. He was sent to jail by the Lord Chief Justice, who was concerned with the increase of the negative use of arms in the society and to deter others from this behaviour.

‘Isitolo Sakopo and Kalafitoni Toluta’u are serving 20 months imprisonment for charges including possession of 1.91 grams of methamphetamine seized by Police, who received information they were selling drugs from their vehicle in Pahu. The court heard that when Police attempted to stop the car it crashed into the police vehicle. The police had to smash the window to turn the car’s engine off.

Amy Leger (35) who worked as a nanny for the King’s niece and her family received a suspended sentence for three counts of forgery and one of theft when over three months in 2023, she withdrew a total of $10,000 pa'anga by using her employer's pre-signed blank cheques without authorisation.

Siupeli Koula Laula (22) received a fully suspended 19-month prison sentence for causing bodily injury while driving under the influence of alcohol. Laula crashed into another vehicle, injuring the driver, Vili Haumatakali, who sustained a broken bone in his thigh. Justice Tupou handed down the sentence on 7 May in the Supreme Court, Nuku’alofa, following Laula's guilty plea in March.

Lord Chief Justice, Malcom Bishop KC is expected deliver his ruling next week on three matters that were raised in a Joint Court Hearing today, regarding the ongoing civil action between the Tonga Development Bank and Tatafu Moeaki and the National Reserve Bank and others.

Sione Fifita (20), received a suspended 12-month prison sentence for reckless driving that caused grievous bodily harm to a 21-year-old man. He was sentenced on March 11, in the Supreme Court in Nuku’alofa, with the judge considering his young age and first-time offender status. 

Katieli Mahe (39) and ‘Etimoni Toumolupe (39) will serve 18 months in prison each for the theft of two rolls of copper and aluminium cables and receiving stolen property from their former employer, Tonga Power Ltd. Justice Tupou delivered the sentences on 18 March in the Supreme Court, Nuku’alofa. Mahe admitted to two counts of theft, while Toumolupe admitted to two counts of receiving stolen property.

A civil dispute between two parties, over the rights and control over a building that was known as the Mosimani Building in Kolofo’ou, was dismissed by a Supreme Court judge.

Maka Kelilopa Vaka’uta (64) was jailed for four months on five counts including possession 0.28 grams of methamphetamine, 0.42 grams of cannabis and ammunition, in bush allotments at Hoi, Tongatapu.