Results for From the Courts

Three Tongan Cabinet Ministers have lost their appeals against court decisions that declared their election results void. Eight judgments from a Special Court of Appeal session, held last month, were released late this afternoon in Nuku'alofa. The Appeal Court said, “If there is a lesson to be learned, candidates for an election should be astute not to make any gifts within three-months of an election...Rather they should withhold their largesse until after the election.” Some of the other appeals were also dismissed.

Two men who were acquitted of possessing 2.19 grams of methamphetamine but were found guilty on lesser counts received suspended sentences, at the Supreme Court in Nuku'alofa.

Kalolaine Fainga’a (30) was sentenced to two-years imprisonment for serious housebreaking and theft of electronic goods valued at around $12,095 pa’anga. A stolen iPad was tracked by GPS to a home in Tokomololo and then Police recovered all the other stolen electronic equipment from a shop. A co-accused was charged with receiving stolen property.

Sitaleki Tu’itavake (48) was sentenced to four and a half-years imprisonment for possession of 2.87 grams of methamphetamine 
and 3,153.7 grams of cannabis in two separate incidents. The judge declined to suspend any part of the sentence. "All his recent history demonstrates a flagrant disregard for the law and the opportunities afforded to him for rehabilitation. With his escalating drug offending, he is also becoming a risk to himself and the community,” he said.

Rodney Toki (28) who is currently serving a lengthy jail term for a string of armed robberies, at Chinese-run shops in Tonga, has been sentenced to five-years and four-months imprisonment for other offences in a crime spree that spanned from late July until the end of August 2021.

Hausia Vaka (43) was sentenced to seven and a half years imprisonment for causing grievous bodily harm, when he attacked and severely injured his neighbour's left hand with a machete at Makapaeo."What he did was attack a defenseless man on the ground and aimed a machete blow at his head, which in turn caused these life-changing injuries," said the judge.

Nganga e Hau Lao (55) received a suspended sentence of one year for cultivation of 43 cannabis plants seized at his home in Tatakamotonga. Police raided the defendant's home address and found him sitting on the floor of his living room reading the bible. The cannabis plants were found growing behind his home.

Bruno Latu (27) was sentenced to 27-months imprisonment for offences that included possession of a pistol without a license and 1.72 grams of methamphetamine.

‘Alefosio Vaingaina (44) was sentenced to six-years imprisonment for serious housebreaking and theft of Tongan koloa, valued at around $22,800 from the Royal Palace in Vava'u. The judge said it would appear that this is the first published case of housebreaking and theft perpetrated against the Royal family.