Results for verdict

Tevita Matangi was found guilty of two charges of causing grievous bodily harm to Mateaki Hafoka (29) and Sikuvea Fifita (26), when he attacked them during a drunken altercation at Talau in Vava’u in October, 2023.

Kepueli Christopher Mafi (32) was found guilty of dangerous driving causing the death of ‘Ahotau Taufu’i, who was walking on the side of the road at Nualei, in the early morning of 20 November 2022. The accused drove off, while the victim’s body was found by others.

Viliami Tu’ipulotu and Heneli Manuofetoa have been found guilty of receiving stolen property, namely laptops stolen from the Ministry of Revenue in 2022. 

Siaosi Brown (31) was found guilty of possession of illicit drugs, namely 222.69 grams of cannabis seized during a police search at a residence at Fanga. He will be sentenced on 11 November. In delivering his verdict Mr Justice Cooper was critical of the Crown prosecution's attempts to to call a convicted drug user to attempt to undermine the evidence of two police officers. “That sort of error needs to be properly understood so it is not repeated,” he warned.

Fili Langi Ta’ai (59) was found not guilty of engaging in dealing with others to possess methamphetamine, after the Prosecution failed to prove their case beyond reasonable doubt at the Supreme Court in Nuku'alofa. The judge said the case was badly damaged.

Kalafitoni Toluta’u (43) was found guilty today of possession of 2.80 grams of methamphetamine seized at a tax allotment in 'Utulau on July 28, 2018. He will be sentenced on September 15, at the Nuku'alofa Supreme Court.

The Police Tactical Response Group fired a pistol at the tyres of a meth offender in car chase, the Nuku'alofa Supreme Court was told by witnesses. Pangi Puloka (47) was found guilty of possessing 4.34 grams and 2.17 grams of methamphetamine, at Mata-ki-'Eua in 2020, after he tried to run down police officers, who were standing on a road to stop him.

Foketi Tonga Fate was acquitted of possessing 41.51 grams of cannabis by the Lord Chief Justice, who said the Crown failed to prove beyond reasonable doubt in the evidence of the charge against the accused.

Tevita Talia’uli Fatongiatau was found guilty of three counts in the seizure of methamphetamine inside his vehicle at the bus station in Nuku’alofa.