Results for From the Courts

The pending court case against Lord Tu'ilakepa who faces six illicit drugs and illegal firearms and ammunitions offences is adjourned to September 19, to fix a date for a Preliminary Inquiry to begin at the Magistrate’s Court in Nuku'alofa.

A 37-year-old man from Vaini was found guilty on two counts of attempted armed robbery and carrying arms with the intention to commit an offence, when he threatened a man with a .22 bolt-action rifle at the Yellow Pier in April 2010.

Another drugs charge has been filed against Lord Tu'ilakepa a former Speaker of the Tonga Legislative Assembly and a current Vava'u Nobles' Representative.

A 31-year old man was sent to jail for 14-years for raping and indecently assaulting a Tongan woman at Fungamisi in Vava'u on May 12, 2009.

A 29-year-old man from Tatakamotonga was found guilty of manslaughter by negligence by a jury on May 6 at the Nuku'alofa Supreme Court, following a four and a half days trial last week.

A 28-year-old man from 'Utulei in Vava'u who pleaded not guilty to three charges of rape, housebreaking and assault appeared at the Vava'u Supreme Court for trial by jury on May 3 presided over by Justice Robert Shuster.

A Chinese national Liu Lirong (45), residing in Nuku'alofa, was found guilty on seven charges of trafficking persons into Tonga, keeping a brothel and trading in prostitution, ruled Justice Robert Shuster today.

The Speaker of the Tonga Legislative Assembly, Lord Lasike, appeared on April 19 for one day of Preliminary Inquiry at the Magistrate's Court on three charges, including possession of an unlawful arm without a license, importation of an arm without a license and unlawful possession of ammunition.

An 18-year-old repeat offender was sentenced to serve one-year-imprisonment after acting as a look-out while co-offenders stole cash and goods worth over $160,000 pa'anga from a visiting U-16 AFL team who stayed at the 'Atele hostels last December.