Results for From the Courts

‘Alipate Talau (21) of Malapo was sent to jail for three-years and six months imprisonment for serious causing bodily harm to Latu Kivalu last year. "This is a case where an imprisonment sentence is necessary, not only to punish you for the offence committed but more importantly to protect the society from you," said the judge.

Soape Ta’e’iloa Koka (52) was sentenced to two-years nine-months imprisonment for discharging a firearm with the intent to intimidate a woman, who was in her car with her 14-year-old daughter at Vaini. The judge then recommended that the defendant's gun be seized and destroyed, and that he never be allowed to hold a certificate for ammunition or firearms ever again.

Sefo Moala (52) was sentenced to eight years imprisonment for nine counts of possession of illicit drugs, including 41.82 grams of cocaine and 139.3 grams of methamphetamine. “The defendant has been a long-term menace to society," said the judge.

Tongan Cabinet Minister 'Akosita Lavulavu (36) and her husband 'Etuate Lavulavu (62) plundered TVET grant funds for themselves in a systemic fraud that a Nuku'alofa Supreme Court judge today called, “an example of the worst sort of dishonesty.”

Kautai Moala (38) and Tevita 'Alatini (37) have been jailed for possession of methamphetamine seized in Ngele'ia on September 3, 2019. “A pre-sentence report made really appalling reading that Moala is identified in the community as a supplier of drugs and uses young boys from the community to run drugs for him,” said the Supreme Court judge.

Matangi Fetu’u’aho (35) was sentenced to 22-months imprisonment for possession of 257.86 grams of cannabis. Tonga police found the defendant packing cannabis at a Fo'ui residence last December.

Sione Songo’imoli (40) of Popua was sentenced to 18-months imprisonment for possession of 0.08 grams of methamphetamine. This was fully suspended at the Nuku'alofa Supreme Court.

Faleu Tailoni Mafi was found guilty of serious housebreaking and serious indecent assault committed on a woman, who was asleep at her residence in Tokomololo.

Faka’osi Katoa (43) was sentenced to 15-months imprisonment for possession of methamphatamine and cannabis, seized in two separate incidents in 2019-20.