Results for Tonga

A group of four people who were arrested inside a private home at Houma and fined $1000 each for “breach of curfew” in May, had their convictions set aside after the Lord Chief Justice granted their appeal.

Tevita Valikoula was convicted today of abetting the theft of 85 kava plants valued at $17,000 pa'anga at Manuka in May 2019. He will be sentenced in October.

The exterior design of a new temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to be built in Neiafu, Vava’u, was released recently.

‘Elisapeti Langi was appointed Acting Judge of the Supreme Court for an initial period of four-months, starting September 1. The new judge will help meet increasing caseloads in the Supreme Court criminal division.

A 20-year-old man was arrested for assaulting his 31-year-old girlfriend who remains in critical condition at Vaiola Hospital.

Paea he Lotu Sika (25) was sentenced to 18-months imprisonment, which was fully suspended for seriously injuring Hopoate Teisina at Vaini in 2018.

International Youth Day was acknowledged at the launching of a Hihifo Youth Council for Tongatapu 5 constituency on August 15 at Kolovai. The program included sports events for youths from the 16 villages in Hihifo.

A man was sentenced to four-years imprisonment for attempted carnal knowledge of a child under the age of 12 at the Supreme Court. It is the second case of imprisonment last week for sexual offences against a minor.

The beach and lagoon at Houmale‘eia on the north end of Foa Island in Ha‘apai is a spectacular place. Now home to Matafonua Lodge, its ancient history came vividly to life in 2008 when Australian visitors inadvertently discovered a kaleidoscope of images carved into a beach rock surface. Human feet, triangular bodied people, lizards, dogs, turtles and other representations hinted astoundingly at a Hawaiian connection. By Shane Egan and David Burley.