Results for From the Courts

Tupou Tafuna (39) was acquitted on four counts that included possession of 6.78 grams of methamphetamine and permitting the use of his house in Sopu for drug dealing, after it was not proven beyond reasonable doubt at the Supreme Court.

‘Alaki Fonua Tupou (56) was sentenced to 18-months imprisonment for causing seriously bodily harm, when he punched a man on the mouth smashing five of his teeth at a rugby match in Kelana, Vava'u. The sentence was fully suspended on conditions.

Ernie Fotu (43) received a suspended sentence for possession of 15.54 grams of cannabis at the Magistrate Court.

Timote ‘Aho’atu (44) was sentenced to two-years nine-months imprisonment for causing grievous bodily harm to Siaosi Na'a, whom he shot with a pistol in 2021. The judge said the law required the accused to complain to the police if he felt that the victim had unfairly and unlawfully done him wrong. "That law stops you and prohibits you from punishing or killing that person who has wronged you.”

A 38-year-old man was acquitted on two charges of serious indecent assault on a teenager committed in Tongatapu in 2021. The judge did not believe the evidence of the complainant.

Motesio Vaioleti (33), who knew he was driving with faulty brakes with his children in the vehicle, and crashed into another vehicle, was fined $300 pa’anga. Mr Justice Niu “This offence is serious,” said the Judge who recommended that the Legislature heavier penalties be legislated for this offence, because there are many vehicles on the road, “we should not wait until a life is lost,” he said.

A man in his 40s was sentenced to two-years six-months imprisonment for three counts of serious indecent assault of a minor aged 12 years old, in Tongatapu. Hon. Mr Justice Cooper ordered there be no publication of any detail that could lead to the identification of the victim in this case.

Mikaele Hoponoa Pahulu (42) was sentenced to 11 years and 7 months imprisonment for manslaughter in a sadistic, brutally violent attack on a frail 71-year-old patient at the Psychiatric Ward in Vaiola Hospital. “This was manslaughter just short of murder, possibly only because that was not charged. Why murder was not charged has never been explained,” said the Supreme Court judge. “It is just barbaric.” Another person stood alongside, watched and walked away leaving the victim unconscious on the ground.

Poni ‘Ahohako (26) was found guilty of serious housebreaking and causing serious bodily harm, when he hit Ramsay Dalgety on the head with a teapot, when he broke into his home on February 8 this year, at Ha'ateiho.