Results for sentencing

A sleep-deprived, unlicensed driver, who nodded off at the wheel after refusing to hand over the driving to another, will go to prison for reckless driving causing the death of her aunt, a passenger, who was sleeping in the back of her car when it crashed into a power pole in eastern Tongatapu.

Tupou Seluini Tahilanu (28) was sentenced to 18-months imprisonment with some part suspended for embezzlement of $47,521 from her employer, Tonga Power Ltd. in 2022.

Falakiko ‘Asisi Mafi (43) was sentenced to two-years six-months imprisonment partially suspended for reckless driving that caused the death of his wife in a road crash in 2023.

Venasio Hau (32) was sentenced to four-years and six-months imprisonment, partially suspended, for possession of 27.76 grams of methamphetamine, while his two co-accused received suspended sentences. The illicit drugs were seized after Police received information of it being sold at a residence in Ma'ufanga.

A consistent drug re-offender, Sione ‘Ala (26) was sentenced two-years five-months imprisonment for possession of illicit drugs including methamphetamine, in two separate offences, involving vehicles in Nuku’alofa. 

Sione Katoa (29) was sentenced to 21-months imprisonment with parts suspended for numerous charges that included possession of illicit drugs, namely 0.65 grams of methamphetamine at Veitongo.

Liuaki Fainu (23) who was sentenced to two-years six-months imprisonment, for dangerous driving causing grievous bodily harm to a police officer in Vava’u had his sentence fully suspended on conditions. The officer who suffered a broken leg, in December 2022, awaits bone reconstruction experts from Australia next month who will operate to re-connect his fractured femur.

Habitual property offender, Siaosi ‘Ulukivaiola (25) a prisoner, got more jail time for breaking into the Ministry of Revenue office and stealing laptops and other property worth $34,650. His two co-offenders who received the stolen property were also sentenced to jail, with one sentence suspended.

Kali Malupo (57) who was convicted of grievous bodily harm, when he struck a 24-year-old man on the head using a machete at Manuka on eastern Tongatapu, was sentenced to six and a half-years imprisonment, while his two sons received a lesser jail sentence for common assault in a group attack on the victim. The judge said their attacks “revealed levels of anger and violence going far beyond...argument of self-defence.” For Kali “the clear intention was to kill Filihai Li.”