Results for Supreme Court

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

‘Olivieta Vea (28) was sentenced to one and half years imprisonment, fully suspended, for reckless driving and causing bodily harm to her husband, while driving under the influence of alcohol in Pahu last year.

Kulisitafu Fehoko (32) is serving eight months in prison for two charges that included possession of 1.28 grams of methamphetamine and utensils siezed in his vehicle, when he was intercepted by Police in Vaololoa last year.

Salesi Fa’aoa (33) was found guilty of receiving stolen timber valued at around $35,572 from T Construction Company, in a judgement in the Supreme Court in Nuku’alofa, on 26 March. Two co-accused also pleaded guilty. Lord Chief Justice Bishop also ordered a police inquiry into Fa’aoa's allegations of police misconduct.

‘Atunaisa Fa’uhiva (32) received a fully suspended sentence of 16 months imprisonment for the possession of a loaded .22 rifle, ammunition without a licence, and illicit drugs, including dried cannabis seeds, in Neiafu, Vava’u. The Lord Chief Justice emphasized that the courts in Tonga must prevent conduct that could lead to a surge in criminality involving lethal weapons.