Results for From the Courts

Siueli Angilau (42) was today found guilty of possession of 0.55 grams of methamphetamine seized by Tonga Police after received they information that illicit drugs were being sold from a little house in Fanga.

Siosaia Tu Maile (20) was sentenced yesterday to eight-years imprisonment for the manslaughter death of Ned Cook (67), the Salvation Army Team Leader in Nuku'alofa in 2020, who was punched in the face when he was walking home from an evening out. "In that split second of senseless brutality, one life was ended and the liberty of another must now be severely curtailed," said the Chief Justice. He noted that in Tonga, some in the community tend to resort to violence to address any annoyance, no matter how small. “This case must serve to deter others from such behaviour, which will be met with severe sentences from the Courts.”

Siaosi Helu was today found guilty of unlawful possession 0.04 grams of methamphetamine found hidden inside his tight pants, during a routine body search by Police, when arrested for public drunkenness.

Kalafitoni Toluta’u (43) was found guilty today of possession of 2.80 grams of methamphetamine seized at a tax allotment in 'Utulau on July 28, 2018. He will be sentenced on September 15, at the Nuku'alofa Supreme Court.

‘Epuefi Laimani who is currently serving five-years imprisonment for possession of illicit drugs, including 5.15 grams of methamphetamine, and bribery of a police officer was denied an application to appeal against his conviction, at the Nuku'alofa Supreme Court. However, he was granted leave to appeal his sentence.

‘Atapani Pangi (33) received a sentence of two-years and four-months imprisonment for possession of 183.3 grams of cannabis, seized at a house in Fo'ui. His co-accused, who owned the house also received a suspended sentence.

Filimone To’aho (40) was sentenced to one-year jail for the theft of over $17,767 pa’anga, which he borrowed and misused to purchase 20 vehicles from Japan. By May this year, he repaid most of the money and received a suspended sentence.

The jailed Minister of Infrastructure and Tourism ‘Akosita Lavulavu (36) and her husband ’Etuate (62) were this morning denied bail pending their appeal. The Lord Chief Justice was not satisfied with their prospects of success on their appeals and gave reasons why in his 18-pages ruling, at the Nuku'alofa Supreme Court.

Kautai Moala (38) was sentenced to five and a half-years imprisonment for possession of 19.49 grams of methamphetamine seized at Ngele'ia. The judge said he was appalled to learn that Moala was identified in the community as a supplier of drugs and used young boys from the community to run drugs for him.