Results for From the Courts

Three men who were acquitted of manslaughter, due to lack of evidence offered by the Crown, pleaded guilty to a lesser count of common assault in the death of a man in Pelehake, in 2017.

Rodney Tomasi was acquitted of possessing the illicit drug cannabis because evidence of a search was inadmissible, and a further charge offering a bribe to Police Officers was unproven, ruled the Supreme Court on July 17.

A hearing date is expected to be set on September 6 to hear submissions in regards to the Crown's proposal to have a joint trial for Tonga’s former Prime Minister Lord Tu’ivakano and two other accused, regarding passport offences.

Samuela Hafoka (24) who was convicted of serious housebreaking and theft of goods valued at around $20,000 from a home at Pili, received a fully suspended sentence at the Supreme Court in Nuku'alofa.

Siua Sekona is a co-accused charged with Sione Filipe Jr in relation to the seizure of 242 grams of cannabis seeds brought into Tonga, at Fua’amotu International Airport in March, confirmed Police Prosecution.

Vaha Palei (32) who was found guilty of possessing 20.4 grams of methamphetamine at Te’ekiu in May last year, was remanded for sentencing next month.

A 25-year-old man was acquitted of attempted rape of a young woman at a home in Nuku’alofa in May last year.

Paki mo Talaha Tausinga was found guilty on two counts that included not helping an injured woman pedestrian following an accident in the Nuku'alofa CBD last year. Although the accused was found to be the driver responsible for this collision, he was acquitted of reckless driving, injuring a female pedestrian, because there was uncertainty about the quality of the

 evidence to prove this serious charge.

Uilisoni Falahola was acquitted of manslaughter in the electrocution death of a man in Kolomotu'a in a verdict delivered by the Lord Chief Justice in his on June 19 at the Supreme Court in Nuku'alofa.