Results for From the Courts

Samuela Hafoka (43) is serving 12 months imprisonment for the theft of a vehicle valued at around $13,000, that was parked on Taufa’ahau Road.

Alaisia Matangi (37) is serving a two-year imprisonment sentence for the theft of a vehicle and its contents worth $24,000 outside the Cowley Bakery in Nuku’alofa. The theft occurred while the owner was inside the bakery for a few minutes.

Salesi Fa’aoa (33) was found guilty of receiving stolen timber valued at around $35,572 from T Construction Company, in a judgement in the Supreme Court in Nuku’alofa, on 26 March. Two co-accused also pleaded guilty. Lord Chief Justice Bishop also ordered a police inquiry into Fa’aoa's allegations of police misconduct.

Motekiai Taufahema (48) was found guilty of two offences after he threw a machete, which injured a man in a confrontation outside his home in Navutoka. Police found drugs utensils inside the home.

Tevita Fetu’u (27) received a suspended sentence for causing serious bodily harm when he fractured a 25-year-old man’s jaw in an assault at a bar in Vava’u. The judge ordered that for the next 12 months he must not enter licensed premises or a bar and must not during that period drink in public. He advised the accused to give up alcohol altogether because “it seems you are unable to control yourself.”

Siosiua Savieti (22) is serving four years six months imprisonment for charges that included 127.07 grams of methamphetamine. While his co-accused Mavae Fonokalafi (19) is serving two years and six months for possession of 24.54 grams seized at a home in Talafo’ou last year.

Viliami Tino Ma’u (28) is serving 16 months imprisonment for serious housebreaking and theft of goods worth $1,848 from a store in Ma’ufanga last year.

Kulisitafu Fehoko aka Tafu Fehoko (32) is serving eight months in prison for numerous charges, including possession of 1.28 grams of methamphetamine seized in his vehicle, which was intercepted by Police in Vaololoa.

Simaima Vaha’i (33) was sentenced to 12 months probation for stealing a mobile phone worth $715.84 from her employer, Digicel Tonga in Vava’u. Initially pleading not guilty to a larger theft charge, she later changed her plea to guilty for the theft of a Samsung Galaxy A34, leading to the discharge of the first count against her.