Results for From the Courts

Two men have been jailed for the theft of Tongan koloa worth over $30,000 pa’anga and a vehicle in two separate incidents. While, a co-accused received a fully suspended sentence for receiving one of the stolen goods.

The King’s Judicial Appointments and Discipline Panel is looking for a Tongan to replace the Lord Chief Justice Michael Whitten KC of Australia, who completed a four year appointment at the end of August. Meanwhile, the King in Council has appointed Justice Petunia Tupou KC as Acting Lord Chief Justice, Acting President of the Land Court and Acting President of the Court of Appeal.

Tevita Lisiate (23) of Ha’ateiho was found not guilty of causing grievous bodily harm, due to insufficient evidence. It was alleged that he threw a stone that caused permanent blindness in a young woman’s right eye. A rock landed on her face. She didn't see who had thrown it, said the judge. There was no evidence as to the circumstances in which Tevita Lisiate was arrested. “If these observations on basic trial preparation are ignored, then victims of crime will continue to be denied a voice in the Criminal Justice System,” said the Judge.

Neil Taufahema (53) was convicted of discharging a firearm with intent to intimidate his older brother at a home in Navutoka in 2022. He received a fully suspended sentence, on conditions.

Viliami Tu’ipulotu and Heneli Manuofetoa have been found guilty of receiving stolen property, namely laptops stolen from the Ministry of Revenue in 2022. 

The Supreme Court of Tonga has ruled in favour of a civil claim brought by the Deputy Secretary of Foreign Affairs against the Public Service Commission, who unlawfully initiated serious disciplinary action against her. In his ruling the Lord Chief Justice Whitten KC. considered that there were many problems with the regulations - saying the wording in some regulations is "nonsensical". He also said the PSC was in breach of a requirement to appoint a CEO for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Temipale Tatafu (36) was sentenced to 30-months imprisonment for serious housebreaking, theft and serious wilful damage of goods valued over $10,000 pa’anga of another man at Fangaloto in 2022.

Matangi Fetu‘u‘aho (36) was jailed for 20-months for possession of drug utensils together with the activation of his 11-months suspended sentence, at the Supreme Court in Nuku'alofa.

‘Alaponi Vaomotou (46) was sentenced to three-years nine-months imprisnment for causing serious bodily harm, when he injured his neighbour on the arm with a machete, at Fou'i. The judge said it was his second conviction for a machete attack. “I consider Mr Vaomotou poses a real danger to the public, consequently none of his sentence will be suspended."