Results for sentencing

Mikaele Hoponoa Pahulu (42) was sentenced to 11 years and 7 months imprisonment for manslaughter in a sadistic, brutally violent attack on a frail 71-year-old patient at the Psychiatric Ward in Vaiola Hospital. “This was manslaughter just short of murder, possibly only because that was not charged. Why murder was not charged has never been explained,” said the Supreme Court judge. “It is just barbaric.” Another person stood alongside, watched and walked away leaving the victim unconscious on the ground.

Tevita 'Osaiasi Matangi was sentenced to nine-months imprisonment for possession of 1.22 grams of methamphetamine, found with him inside a taxi at Longolongo. This was fully suspended.

A man who raped and indecently assaulted his young daughter in Vava’u has been sentenced to nine and a half-years imprisonment. "The pre-sentence report makes for troubling reading," said the judge. On the day of his trial, the accused changed his pleas to guilty on both the rape and indecent assault allegations, committed some years ago.

Petueli Mafua he Lotu Fifita (25) was sentenced to six-years and four-months imprisonment for dangerous driving causing the death of an 81-year-old grandfather in Ta'anea, Vava'u. He was also banned from driving for two-years, effective from his release from prison.

Penisimani Angilau received a suspended sentence today for causing serious bodily harm to another man, when he hit him with a piece of timber fracturing his left hand during an argument at a petrol station at Vaini. The Supreme Court judge ruled this as a case of special circumstances because the offender was provoked when the complainant jumped into the queue at the petrol station and refused to back off.

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.

Lafitani Mahe who is currently serving a prison term for housebreaking and theft received an additional time for possession of illicit drugs, after being sentenced at the Nuku'alofa Supreme Court today. His co-accused received a suspended sentence.

Latu Mata’u (43) was sentenced to 34-months imprisonment for serious causing bodily harm to a 21-year-old, whom he injured with a metal pipe while drinking at Veitongo. The sentence was fully suspended due to factors considered by the Supreme Court Judge that resulted in this exception.

‘Isileli and Sofia Tu’ifua (both 27) were sentenced to six-months imprisonment each, after being convicted on joint counts of possessing methamphetamine and cannabis. Their sentences were fully suspended.