Viliami Tukumoe’atu (28) is serving one year imprisonment for reckless driving under the influence of alcohol, causing the death of his father in Makaunga in January this year. The accused was driving at up to 140 kilometres per hour, when he struck an oncoming vehicle, lost control and crashed into an electric pole. “In passing sentence, you do not need me to tell you what this tragedy has unfolded,” the Lord Chief Justice said in passing sentence.
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Results for From the Courts
Monday 11 August 2025
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Wednesday 6 August 2025
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Penisoni Tu’ifua Angilau (37) was found guilty of four charges that included supplying 534.53 grams of methamphetamine to his second cousin to pack the illicit drug at her residence in Lomaiviti.
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Monday 4 August 2025
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
‘Oto Langafo’ou Loloa (35) is serving 18 months in prison for two charges that included possession of 1238.71 grams of cannabis leaves and seeds, after police were informed that he was selling from his residence in Fua’amotu.
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Monday 4 August 2025
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Saione Funaki (19) received a suspended sentence for common assault when he punched a 16 year old on the mouth, causing him to loose consciousness, when he was walking back to Nukuleka, after a social gathering in Makaunga on eastern Tongatapu.
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Monday 28 July 2025
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
An arsonist, Taniela Matangi (38) will serve seven years imprisonment, for serious housebreaking and stealing tapa and mats from a church minister's home in Longolongo. The charges included serious arson after he set fire to a bedroom at the home. Three others were jailed for receiving the stolen property.
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Wednesday 23 July 2025
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
‘Aisea Pese Havea (42) is serving one year and eight months in prison for cultivation of cannabis plants seized at a home in Ha’ateiho by police officers, who were led there by a student who was reported to be in possession at Tonga College.
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Tuesday 22 July 2025
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Sione Kei’aloha Langi (31) and Viliami Pongi (42) were jailed for charges including serious housebreaking and theft of goods worth $20,440 from a business in Veitongo.
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Tuesday 22 July 2025
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Tevita Lui’s claim to evict Saralee Soakai from his tax allotment in Toula, Vava’u was dismissed after a Land Court judge ruled that a Tenancy Agreement remains in force until 2055, and there was no breach in the agreement.
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Saturday 19 July 2025
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Penisimani Foukimoana Koli Moa (33) was imprisoned for one year and eight months, after he entered the Emerald Hotel and pointed a .22 pistol at the forehead of an employee. “The defendant foolishly thought it appropriate to carry in his trouser pocket an unlicensed .22 pistol, while out drinking,” stated the judge.
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Friday 18 July 2025
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Nina Halatanu won her claim against her late husband’s first wife and heir to evict them from a town allotment in Nukuleka, in a ruling by a Land Court judge who found that, for the time being, no rights exceed hers as widow.
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Friday 11 July 2025
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Epworth Laimani was sentenced to five years imprisonment for possession of 13.27 grams of methamphetamine seized in Sopu and other charges. This includes the activation of a suspended sentence of 12 months, which he breached.
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Thursday 10 July 2025
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Heilala Finau (23) is serving one year and three months in prison for obtaining $18,300 from a mother and her two daughters in a web of deception and lies, when she pretended to be a public servant handling applications for government aid to provide housing.
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Thursday 10 July 2025
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Two men and one woman were jailed for possession of 20.92 grams and 13.52 grams of methamphetamine seized in a police raid outside a restaurant in Houma. In sentencing the trio at the Supreme Court in Nuku'alofa, Lord Chief Justice Bishop said Methamphetamine is a serious scourge in Tonga. “Considering the current increase of illicit drugs in the community, deterrence and with it punishment, is of greater priority than rehabilitation.”
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Wednesday 9 July 2025
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Manase Funaki (37) is serving three years imprisonment for reckless driving that caused the deaths of his two children aged nine and 12 years. His vehicle rolled off Hihifo Road and hit a fence, in January this year. The judge said the driver demonstrated a flagrant disregard for the law and the safety of his passengers or other road users.
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Tuesday 1 July 2025
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Bosco Fakatava (19) is serving six months imprisonment after pleading guilty to robbery of a cell phone and cash totaling over $2,000 from a victim whom he assaulted in 2024. His co-accused, who pleaded not guilty, awaits a verdict.
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Friday 27 June 2025
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
A Tongatapu trader, Yu Xi Di (44), is serving 14 months imprisonment obtaining $68,977 pa’anga by false pretences from different businessmen in Vava’u, who were deceived thinking they would receive goods from Tongatapu, including frozen meat they had paid for.
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Wednesday 25 June 2025
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Amy Leger (35) who worked as a nanny for the King’s niece and her family received a suspended sentence for three counts of forgery and one of theft when over three months in 2023, she withdrew a total of $10,000 pa'anga by using her employer's pre-signed blank cheques without authorisation.
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Tuesday 24 June 2025
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Repeat offender Sati’o Matakaiongo (43) is serving 18 months imprisonment for possession of 43.07 grams of cannabis seized in Popua. His 23 year old co-accused received a suspended sentence in the Fasi Magistrate's Court.
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Wednesday 18 June 2025
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
‘Asaeli Niu’ila (96) who resides in Wellington, was successful in his action to evict occupants from his town allotment in Niutoua, after being granted judgment in the Nuku'alofa Land Court on 18 June. The judge said that this was an unfortunate case, where one of the defendants had simply misunderstood the arrangement between the plaintiff and his late parents or was misled as to his interests or rights over this land.
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Monday 16 June 2025
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Maamafo’ou Movete (32) is serving four and half years’ imprisonment for multiple charges, including possession of 17.31 grams of methamphetamine and supplying others with 11.88 grams of methamphetamine last year. His 20-year-old co-accused received a suspended sentence.
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