Results for sentencing

Manley Manu Soakai Palu (25) was sentenced to three years imprisonment, with a portion suspended, for three counts of causing bodily injury to a couple and their two year old daughter, while driving under the influence of alcohol. “The public must be protected from people who drink and drive,” stated the Judge.

Siena Li received a suspended sentence for possession of 0.08 grams methamphetamine and smashing a pipe used to smoke drugs, when she was arrested in a car at Ha’ateiho.

Haisini Fonohema (37) was jailed for charges including possession of 1.08 grams of methamphetamine and assaulting an undercover police officer who was arresting him in Ha’alalo. His co-offender, Sosaia Palei (39) received a suspended sentence.

Two men who had counterfeit Tongan currency were caught when one used a shoddy counterfeit $20 to pay for petrol. In the Supreme Court of Tonga today, Sione Songo’imoli (44) and Tupou Haupeakui (30) received jail sentences for convictions on charges that included making counterfeit currency up to $3,605 pa'anga.

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.”

Sitiveni Tukuafu (28), a first time offender, was sentenced to two-years’ imprisonment with some part suspended for three charges that included possession of 4.78 grams of methamphetamine seized at Hofoa.

Hemaloto Manukailea (50) was sentenced to 19-months imprisonment with part suspended for causing serious bodily harm, when he punched another man, fracturing his jaw, outside a bar in Nuku’alofa, on a night out of drinking alcohol. “The public must be protected from violence and the streets of Tonga must be safe places for the community. The custody threshold has been passed; this offence is so serious only a prison sentence is merited,” the judge said.

'Aisea Havea (35) and Kaniteli Guttenbeil (33) who were caught red-handed sitting in their car with eight small packets of cannabis and a pipe in an open bag between them at Popua, were found guilty of possession and sentenced to jail terms.

Christopher Taufa (38) was jailed for causing grievous bodily harm when he used a branch or a piece of timber to attack his neighbour during a drink-up in 2022. The attack was extreme. Justice Cooper sentenced him to 30-months' imprisonment, with the last six months suspended on conditions on 26 March, at the Supreme Court in Nuku’alofa.