Results for sentencing

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.

Taliai Tapueluelu (36) and Penitiketo Latu (27) are serving two-years in prison for serious causing bodily harm, when in Neiafu they repeatedly kicked an unconscious man on the head with their boots, in what the Acting Lord Chief Justice described as an outrageous abuse of police powers, when sentencing them.

Raymond Ngaue (34) was sentenced to one year imprisonment with a portion suspended on two charges that included possession of 89.38 grams of cannabis seized at Sopu in 2023.

Drugs offender, Pita Talanoa will be sentenced next month on three charges including possession of 24.34 grams of methamphetamine seized at Veitongo in 2023. His female co-offender who faced one charge was found not guilty due to insufficient evidence.

Repeat offender, Sione Tu’ifua (35) from Kolofo’ou who is currently serving seven-years imprisonment for serious housebreaking, theft and arson received additional jail time for theft of a delivery truck and items at Ma’ufanga.

Samiu Mafi was ordered to serve a sentence of one-year imprisonment for drugs offences imposed by the Magistrates Court, after his appeal was dismissed when he failed to demonstrate that the ruling was wrong.