Viliami Tukumoe’atu (28) is serving one year imprisonment for reckless driving under the influence of alcohol, causing the death of his father in Makaunga in January this year. The accused was driving at up to 140 kilometres per hour, when he struck an oncoming vehicle, lost control and crashed into an electric pole. “In passing sentence, you do not need me to tell you what this tragedy has unfolded,” the Lord Chief Justice said in passing sentence.
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Results for sentencing
Monday 11 August 2025
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
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Wednesday 6 August 2025
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Penisoni Tu’ifua Angilau (37) was found guilty of four charges that included supplying 534.53 grams of methamphetamine to his second cousin to pack the illicit drug at her residence in Lomaiviti.
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Monday 4 August 2025
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
‘Oto Langafo’ou Loloa (35) is serving 18 months in prison for two charges that included possession of 1238.71 grams of cannabis leaves and seeds, after police were informed that he was selling from his residence in Fua’amotu.
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Monday 4 August 2025
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Saione Funaki (19) received a suspended sentence for common assault when he punched a 16 year old on the mouth, causing him to loose consciousness, when he was walking back to Nukuleka, after a social gathering in Makaunga on eastern Tongatapu.
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Monday 28 July 2025
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
An arsonist, Taniela Matangi (38) will serve seven years imprisonment, for serious housebreaking and stealing tapa and mats from a church minister's home in Longolongo. The charges included serious arson after he set fire to a bedroom at the home. Three others were jailed for receiving the stolen property.
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Wednesday 23 July 2025
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
‘Aisea Pese Havea (42) is serving one year and eight months in prison for cultivation of cannabis plants seized at a home in Ha’ateiho by police officers, who were led there by a student who was reported to be in possession at Tonga College.
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Tuesday 22 July 2025
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Sione Kei’aloha Langi (31) and Viliami Pongi (42) were jailed for charges including serious housebreaking and theft of goods worth $20,440 from a business in Veitongo.
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Saturday 19 July 2025
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Penisimani Foukimoana Koli Moa (33) was imprisoned for one year and eight months, after he entered the Emerald Hotel and pointed a .22 pistol at the forehead of an employee. “The defendant foolishly thought it appropriate to carry in his trouser pocket an unlicensed .22 pistol, while out drinking,” stated the judge.
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Friday 11 July 2025
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Epworth Laimani was sentenced to five years imprisonment for possession of 13.27 grams of methamphetamine seized in Sopu and other charges. This includes the activation of a suspended sentence of 12 months, which he breached.
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Tuesday 1 July 2025
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Bosco Fakatava (19) is serving six months imprisonment after pleading guilty to robbery of a cell phone and cash totaling over $2,000 from a victim whom he assaulted in 2024. His co-accused, who pleaded not guilty, awaits a verdict.
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Tuesday 24 June 2025
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Repeat offender Sati’o Matakaiongo (43) is serving 18 months imprisonment for possession of 43.07 grams of cannabis seized in Popua. His 23 year old co-accused received a suspended sentence in the Fasi Magistrate's Court.
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Friday 13 June 2025
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Fatafehi Tomasi (22) is serving 10 months imprisonment for injuring a passenger, while driving under the influence of alcohol . When his loaded car crashed into another vehicle, after a night out in a bar in the Nuku'alofa CBD, he fled the scene.
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Thursday 22 May 2025
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
A drugs offender, Isaiah Takau lost his appeal against his prison sentence for possession of 11.94 grams of methamphetamine and cultivation of 36.67 grams of cannabis.
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Monday 19 May 2025
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Motekiai Taufahema (48) was jailed for three years after being found guilty of two offences that included causing serious bodily harm, when he threw a machete injuring a man in a confrontation outside his home in Navutoka. Police also found drugs utensils inside the home. The Lord Chief Justice stated that this incident was entirely of the defendant’s own making. He has a record for serious violence.
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Monday 19 May 2025
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Pesanimo Lolohea is serving one year in prison for causing serious bodily harm to another man in an act of violence using a gun and then a spade.
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Sione Ngaue and Salesi Fa’aoa were sentenced to imprisonment for charges that included theft and receiving stolen timber valued at $35,572 from a builder’s warehouse. Their co-accused, Steve Koloamatangi received a suspended sentence.
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Sunday 18 May 2025
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Solomone Kauvaka (29) is serving 18 months imprisonment for two charges of common assault and serious causing bodily harm to a six year old boy, when he threw him against a wall injuring his head, in what the judge said was “an inexcusable cruel and brutal attack on a defenceless vulnerable child,” in July last year.
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Friday 16 May 2025
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Afimeimo’unga Hola, who assaulted two rugby officials at a rugby game, where his team was losing, was sentenced to two years six months imprisonment, which was fully suspended. “What you did in a burst of temper has thrown away all the good work that you had been doing and the confidence and trust which others placed on you," the Lord Chief Justice Bishop said in sentencing him on 2 May in the Supreme Court, Nuku’alofa.
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Friday 9 May 2025
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
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.
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Monday 5 May 2025
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Business owner Kisione Tu'ipulotu To’aho (41), whose company imported and sold vehicles, is serving 20 months imprisonment for two counts of obtaining $29,600 by false pretences when he scammed customers in two separate incidents.
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