Results for suspended sentence

The master of an inter-island ferry, the MV Ko e Kelesi Pe, Tevita ‘Ilangana, received a suspended sentence for proceeding to sea improperly when he permitted the vessel to sail with 141 passengers (in excess of the permitted 90 passengers) from Ha’apai to Tongatapu in 2023. The judge said that overloading his ship in this way put the passengers at risk and life could have been lost. “This is a serious matter.”

Sione Talafekau Maloni (20) was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment fully suspended for causing serious bodily harm, when he poured gasoline over his sleeping friend’s clothes and set him alight, in what was said to have been “a joke”. Mercifullly, the friend suffered only superficial burns to his abdomen.

Tu’utalelei ‘Atuekaho (42) was sentenced to nine months imprisonment, fully suspended, for possession of 0.15 grams of methamphetamine and drugs utensils. He was ordered to do 100 hours of community work. “Given the problems faced by our country as a result of the rise in drug related offending, a first time offender should not expect to walk off without some kind of punishment being given,” said the Judge.

A widowed mother of seven, Mele Havea (35) received 18 months imprisonment, fully suspended, after pleading guilty to charges of impersonating a customs officer in Vava’u. The judge said it was the first case of its kind in Tonga. “If she had not been caught in time, she may have eventually been able to scam more out of the Chinese shop owners.”

Livingi Fifita (43) received a suspended sentence on conditions for charges that included carrying a .22 rifle with intent to commit an offence against his co-worker at a supermarket in Pea.

Rajh Kumar (33) received a suspended sentence for attempting to destroy evidence, namely methamphetamine, during a road drug bust by Police at Haveluloto in 2021.

Siaosi Helu (36) was sentenced to four-months imprisonment of possession of illicit drugs, namely of 0.47 grams of cannabis in Nuku’alofa in 2021. His co-accused Akuila 'Aho had his sentence fully suspended. 'Aho was found not guilty on a further charge after evidence from drugs testing was ruled inadmissible.

Solomone Fualalo (52) received a suspended sentence for common assault and serious causing bodily harm, when he hit a 23-year-old victim on the back of his head with a torch at Niutoua.

A pregnant mother of four, Kahealani Tonga (38) was sentenced to 14-months imprisonment, which was fully suspended, for possession of 2.09 grams of methamphetamine. “Though she may not have been the person making the money from the deal she was facilitating this devastating trade, which is a scourge that destroys the minds and lives of so many people in Tonga," said the judge.