Results for From the Courts

Two Police officers, Penitiketo Latu and Taliai Tapueluelu, were found guilty of causing serious bodily harm to a young soldier (19), whom they kicked on the mouth, fracturing his jaw using their police boots, as he lay defenceless and unconscious, on the floor of the Neiafu Police Station, in Vava’u in 2021.

Liuaki Fainu (23) who was sentenced to two-years six-months imprisonment, for dangerous driving causing grievous bodily harm to a police officer in Vava’u had his sentence fully suspended on conditions. The officer who suffered a broken leg, in December 2022, awaits bone reconstruction experts from Australia next month who will operate to re-connect his fractured femur.

‘Akosita Lavulavu’s application to the courts for leave to appeal against a ruling by Acting Justice Langi, was refused in Nuku’alofa. Justice Randerson stated he had no hesitation in concluding that this appeal had no merit. There was nothing to suggest the judge will not deal with the case fairly, objectively and in accordance with her judicial oath, he said.

Mo’unga Koluse (45) was sentenced to six-months imprisonment fully suspended for reckless driving causing harm to a man, after he ran over his foot with a police vehicle, when he responded to an incident at Kelana rugby field in Vava’u.

Kali Malupo (57) who was convicted of grievous bodily harm, when he struck a 24-year-old man on the head using a machete at Manuka on eastern Tongatapu, was sentenced to six and a half-years imprisonment, while his two sons received a lesser jail sentence for common assault in a group attack on the victim. The judge said their attacks “revealed levels of anger and violence going far beyond...argument of self-defence.” For Kali “the clear intention was to kill Filihai Li.”

The re-trial of multiple charges against former government ministers, ‘Etuate and ‘Akosita Lavulavu, is adjourned to start on 30 October, after Acting Justice Langi rejected a proposal that it be deferred to early 2024, at the Supreme Court in Nuku’alofa, citing various reasons for urgency to proceed.

Malakai Fonua (25) was sentenced to 22-months imprisonment with the final 10-months suspended on conditions for charges of possession of illicit drugs, including 1.74 grams of methamphetamine.

Fokikovi Lauaki (28) was jailed for stealing $144,660 from Luna'eva Enterprises Limited in 2022. She diverted the company's funds into her own bank account and another bank account. “That she did this after being dismissed shows a particularly brazen character and one determined to cheat,” said the judge.

An appeal by the Crown against a three-year fully suspended sentence imposed on Kapeni Tamo’ua on charges, including possession of 3kgs of cocaine in the Vava’u haul was dismissed by the Court of Appeal in Nuku’alofa.