Results for From the Courts

Kulisitafu Fehoko aka Tafu Fehoko (32) is serving eight months in prison for numerous charges, including possession of 1.28 grams of methamphetamine seized in his vehicle, which was intercepted by Police in Vaololoa.

Simaima Vaha’i (33) was sentenced to 12 months probation for stealing a mobile phone worth $715.84 from her employer, Digicel Tonga in Vava’u. Initially pleading not guilty to a larger theft charge, she later changed her plea to guilty for the theft of a Samsung Galaxy A34, leading to the discharge of the first count against her.

Katieli Mahe (39) and ‘Etimoni Toumolupe (39) will serve 18 months in prison each for the theft of two rolls of copper and aluminium cables and receiving stolen property from their former employer, Tonga Power Ltd. Justice Tupou delivered the sentences on 18 March in the Supreme Court, Nuku’alofa. Mahe admitted to two counts of theft, while Toumolupe admitted to two counts of receiving stolen property.

‘Isapela Saiatua Tu’akoi faces four forgery charges, while the Supreme Court in Nuku’alofa on 13 March dismissed four other counts of making a false declaration for obtaining a Tongan passport. The defendant allegedly signed forms to obtain passports for several applicants, including Shiwei Hu in October 2012.

Lesieli Namoa as a judgment debtor in a civil case brought by Siosaia Moehau was found to have assets including a lease of Loumaile Lodge, funds of $160,000 pa'anga and Sakura Company Ltd.. While Namoa claimed that she did not have a bank account, the judge noted that her income “is clouded in mystery” and it may be a device to avoid her assets and money being traced.

Pauline Langi aka Pauline Faka’osi (32) is serving 20 months imprisonment for the theft and embezzlement of $155,588 from her employer, STH Ltd a car dealer business. The offences were committed over different times when she withdrew the cash from the company's bank account. The court considered that she had a high-risk of re-offending.

Talifolau Letisi received a suspended sentence for being in charge of motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol at the Supreme Court in Nuku’alofa.

Kisina Neiufi (33) is serving four and a half years imprisonment for possession of 3.51 grams of methamphetamine, seized with $2,800 cash in Vaotu’u. This included the activation of a one year suspended sentence for previous drug offending, he breached.

Salesi Fa’aoa (34) is serving two years in prison for receiving stolen property, valued at around $43,750, from the burglary of a warehouse belonging to a construction and road repair associated business in Tofoa.