Results for From the Courts

Two former police officers who are in jail for common assault, after they punched and kicked a defenceless 21-year-old in Vava’u, will not be allowed to appeal their sentences. President of the Appeal Court, Lord Chief Justice Whitten, in his ruling on 12 December rejected their applications, as they had no reasonable prospects of success.

Ryan Vakaahi (29) was sentenced to three-years four-months imprisonment for causing bodily harm, when he shot another man on his thigh with a .22 rifle at 'Anana.

Two men were jailed for possession of methamphetamine and drug utensil, after they were arrested under a tree in Nukunuku. A third co-accused received suspended sentence.

Viliami Halalilo and Tukumo’ui Havea have been jailed for common assault when they punched and kicked a defenceless 21-year-old man in Neiafu, Vava’u.

Solomone Fualalo (52) received a suspended sentence for common assault and serious causing bodily harm, when he hit a 23-year-old victim on the back of his head with a torch at Niutoua.

Nesiasi Kamoto (49) received a suspended sentence for discharging a .22 rifle to intimidate his relatives, who were living at his tax allotment in Tofoa.

Solomone Fonokalafi (45) was sentenced to two-years eight-months imprisonment for causing serious bodily harm, when he beat his wife's hands and feet with a hammer, while tying her down at a home in Fo’ui last year. The defendant's actions were cruel and barbaric and have no place in Tongan society or its marriage norms, said the Lord Chief Justice.

A former Senior Customs Officer, Paula Naitoko (68), was sentenced on 21 October to six-years imprisonment for importing a substantial amount of methamphetamine and firearms, concealed in a box from the United States in 2019.

A prolific offender, ‘Okusitino Langi (49), who is serving a lengthy prison term for drug offences, received additional time for similar offending in prison, totalling nine-years imprisonment, after being sentenced on 14 October. The Lord Chief Justice said the circumstances of this offending were troubling. “For the defendant to have been able to possess and sell drugs in prison suggests real operational deficiencies in security within the prison.”