The tragic death of a local businessman, Tausinga Taumoefolau (46), in December 2019 was caused by the drunken driving of a criminal psychiatric patient, who was released because the Vaiola Hospital Psychiatric Ward was overloaded. “This case is an extremely tragic illustration and reminder of the effects on individuals and the community at large when this aspect of public health is not adequately resourced,” Lord Chief Justice M. H. Whitten QC observed yesterday, 23 October, in sentencing the offender, Lemoto Lemeki Manu (34).
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Results for From the Courts
Saturday 24 October 2020
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Friday 23 October 2020
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Tongamoa Kakau (32) was sentenced to two-years six-months imprisonment for serious indecent assault committed on a 21-year-old woman in the early morning hours, at her home in Tongatapu. “ I have no doubt that this offending was caused by him drinking himself into a stupor,” said the judge.
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Thursday 22 October 2020
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
An appeal by Lord Tu'ivakano against his conviction is now awaiting judgment from Tonga's Court of Appeal.
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Wednesday 21 October 2020
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Three men who caused the death of Sione Feimoefiafi (49) by stomping on his head outside the Tali‘eva Bar in the Nuku'alofa CBD in 2019 were sentenced to imprisonment today, October 21.
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Tuesday 20 October 2020
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Seven men, including four teenagers, have been jailed for charges that included jointly cultivating 2665 cannabis plants (99.6 kgs) at a tax allotment in Holonga, Vava’u.
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Tuesday 13 October 2020
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Harris Satini (43) was found guilty at the Supreme Court last week for possession of 1.32 grams methamphetamine at Vaini.
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Tuesday 13 October 2020
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Tevita Valikoula (57) was sentenced today to five-years three-months imprisonment for receiving stolen Tongan properties valued at $19,400 pa’anga and encouraging another to steal $17,000 worth of kava plants. The judge said it was despicable the offender had exploited another man to his own advantage.
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Monday 12 October 2020
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Sione Tupou Tonga (24) received a suspended sentence at the Nuku’alofa Supreme Court for serious housebreaking and theft of goods worth $4,200 pa’anga in 2019.
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Friday 9 October 2020
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Seven men have pleaded guilty to charges that included jointly cultivating 2665 cannabis plants [99.6 kgs] at a tax allotment in Holonga, Vava’u.
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Friday 9 October 2020
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
A man was convicted at the Nuku’alofa Supreme Court for indecent assault and sexual domestic violence of a young girl in Tongatapu. He is detained in police custody for sentencing on October 29.
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Wednesday 7 October 2020
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Loketi Malie (39) is serving one-year three-months imprisonment for seriously harming a 56-year-old man, whom he hit on the leg with a piece of sandalwood in Futu, ‘Eua.
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Tuesday 6 October 2020
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Three men were ordered by the Supreme Court to serve community work or in default serve terms of imprisonment, for seriously damaging a vehicle and unlawful possession of a .22 rifle.
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Thursday 1 October 2020
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Taniela Moimoi (34) was found guilty at the Supreme Court for illicit drugs and ammunition offences. He will be sentenced on November 25.
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Thursday 1 October 2020
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Semisi Pulu (46) was sentenced at the Nuku'alofa Supreme Court for causing serious bodily harm, when he attacked a 15-year-old boy at Kolonga with a gardening hoe. The Chief justice denounced the aggressive outburst of violence and imposed a deterrent jail sentence.
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Wednesday 30 September 2020
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Lisiate ‘Otuhouma (29) was found guilty at the Supreme Court for possession of 3 kilograms of methamphetamine at his home in Fahefa in April, 2019. He will be sentenced on October 30.
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Tuesday 29 September 2020
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
A Nuku'alofa Supreme Court judge quashed a conviction and sentence against Fangatapu Ngavisi at the lower court for killing a sow, because there was a miscarriage of justice. The appellant had lawful authority under regulation 6 to kill the pig, which damaged the land on which his crops were growing.
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Tuesday 29 September 2020
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Cash of $5,639 pa’anga that was seized by Police from 'Epuefi Holiday Laimani in a drug bust, is “tainted property”. The Nuku'alofa Supreme Court ordered that the money be confiscated to the Crown, and deposited into a Tonga Confiscated and Forfeited Assets Fund.
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Monday 28 September 2020
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Liufau Latu (30) was sentenced last week to three-years three-months imprisonment for causing the death of his passenger Tevita Moa Taufa (27) last year in Fatai, in an early hours crash after a night out in town.
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Thursday 24 September 2020
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Ma’ake Kali (42) was sentenced at the Nuku'alofa Supreme Court to two-years imprisonment for receiving a stolen motor vehicle in January 2019. He is a repeate offender, who escaped from prison after being sentenced on theft, and other offences.
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Monday 21 September 2020
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Timote ‘Asa was sentenced to a deterrent sentence of six-years imprisonment for numerous charges, including rape and abduction of a young woman in Tongatapu. In sentencing at the Nuku'alofa Supreme Court on September 18, the Chief Justice protected the identity of the complainant.
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