Results for From the Courts

Nelson Siulangapo the 33-year-old man who was arrested and charged in relation to the 124.77grams of methamphetamine seized on Tongatapu in January, is expected to appear at the Magistrate’s Court, on 20 February.

Reckless driving leading to death is a crime that sadly remains all too prevalent in Tonga and, in this case, resulted in the death of a 21-months old toddler, the Lord Chief Justice stressed in sentencing a 27-year-old driver to two and a half years in prison. Part of the sentence was suspended.

Maamaloa Fangupo (28) was sentenced to two-years six-months imprisonment for serious causing bodily harm to another 28-year-old man, when he stabbed him multiple times, during a drink up in Ha’ateiho in 2022.

Andy Hayden Fukofuka (36) received a suspended sentence for possession of arms and ammunition without a license, the he disclosed when stopped at a check-point on his way to get vaccinated in Nuku'alofa, in 2021.

Poni ‘Ahohako (26) was sentenced to four-years imprisonment for charges, that included causing bodily harm to Lord Dalgety and theft in two separate incidents in 2011.

Lautaimi Makafilia (31) was sentenced to four-years imprisonment for the serious housebreaking and theft of electronic goods, whose value exceeded $82,000 pa’anga, from Lord's Mobile in Nuku'alofa last year.

A trusted church pastor, Siosateki Tonga Faletau, was revealed as using his position to abuse several young girls, over many years. Faletau who was jailed for two years and three months, lost his appeal for permanent name suppression, after it was heard in the High Court at Auckland.

Koionia Latu ‘Ekuasi (32) was sentenced to three-years imprisonment for forgery and obtaining over $20,000 pa'anga by false pretences, when she misused money for her sister's wedding. Three other charges related to a separate fake car dealer business scam, where the offending was a planned financial criminal enterprise, orchestrated over a period of at least 15-months and bilked money from three separate victims.

Siaosi Brown (22) was sentenced to 18-months imprisonment for possession of 222.69 grams of cannabis seized at a home in Fanga.