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 Supreme Court
Monday 11 August 2025
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
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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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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Thursday 10 July 2025
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Heilala Finau (23) is serving one year and three months in prison for obtaining $18,300 from a mother and her two daughters in a web of deception and lies, when she pretended to be a public servant handling applications for government aid to provide housing.
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Thursday 10 July 2025
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Two men and one woman were jailed for possession of 20.92 grams and 13.52 grams of methamphetamine seized in a police raid outside a restaurant in Houma. In sentencing the trio at the Supreme Court in Nuku'alofa, Lord Chief Justice Bishop said Methamphetamine is a serious scourge in Tonga. “Considering the current increase of illicit drugs in the community, deterrence and with it punishment, is of greater priority than rehabilitation.”
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Wednesday 9 July 2025
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Manase Funaki (37) is serving three years imprisonment for reckless driving that caused the deaths of his two children aged nine and 12 years. His vehicle rolled off Hihifo Road and hit a fence, in January this year. The judge said the driver demonstrated a flagrant disregard for the law and the safety of his passengers or other road users.
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Monday 16 June 2025
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Maamafo’ou Movete (32) is serving four and half years’ imprisonment for multiple charges, including possession of 17.31 grams of methamphetamine and supplying others with 11.88 grams of methamphetamine last year. His 20-year-old co-accused received a suspended sentence.
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Friday 13 June 2025
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
‘Ofa Tokelau obtained $17,000 pa’anga by false pretences from a complainant who thought she was ordering a vehicle from Japan, which never arrived. Justice Paul Garlick found the scammer guilty of a false pretences charge on 6 June in the Supreme Court, Nuku’alofa.
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Thursday 12 June 2025
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Seteone Mu’asika (26) is serving six months imprisonment for causing serious bodily harm, when he struck a 17 year old on the back with a machete, in an alcohol-fuelled attack at Lapaha in July last year. A co-accused, who escaped, has not been caught by Police. The Chief Justice said the Court must do all it can to stamp out the increasing use of machetes during disagreements.
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Monday 9 June 2025
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Fine Tevita Fifita (31) and Vaivevea Mafi (45) are serving life imprisonment after being found guilty on charges that included the unlawful importation of 1157.4 grams of methamphetamine, concealed inside a crate in a container shipped from the United States of America in 2023.
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Friday 30 May 2025
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Epuefi Laimani was found guilty of three charges that included possession of 13.27 grams of methamphetamine in Sopu, after being caught by police officers, who received information that he was selling illicit drugs in the area.
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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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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
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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