Results for From the Courts

The judgments of appeal cases heard in the second and last session of this year's Court of Appeal in Tonga will be delivered on Friday, October 1.

Sione Pouono (21) was sentenced to 32 and a half-months imprisonment for serious causing bodily harm, when he used a hammer to beat up the driver who gave him a lift, when he was hitch-hiking in Lapaha. He was currently serving time in prison for a knife attack that severed a victim's finger, that happened the day before the hammer attack.

Lisiate Lakalaka (21) was sentenced to 16-months imprisonment for serious housebreaking and theft of electronics goods valued at $10,900 pa’anga, at 'Anana. The offender had previous convictions.

Vainikolo Maile (39) who was convicted of serious indecent assault of a woman received a suspended sentence on condition, that he voluntarily be admitted to the Psychiatric Ward at Vaiola Hospital for three-months. The judge said Maile is someone who has struggled with intellectual impairment from birth and there was no system of support that was offered in his formative years.

‘Isileli and Sofia Tu’ifua (both 27) were sentenced to six-months imprisonment each, after being convicted on joint counts of possessing methamphetamine and cannabis. Their sentences were fully suspended.

Kaufusi Moala (30) was sentenced today to six-months imprisonment for possession of 0.26 grams of methamphetamine. The sentence was fully suspended on conditions.

Faka‘anaua ‘Akau (22) was today sentenced to additional 30-months imprisonment at Hu'atolitoli Prison for escaping lawful custody, serious housebreaking and theft committed in 'Eua. He is currently in prison for previous offences.

Soane Papaa (28) who pleaded guilty to cultivating one cannabis plant at Lapaha was ordered to carry out 40-hours of community service. Because it was a single cannabis plant there was no evidence of any intention to supply, said the Supreme Court judge.

A couple were found guilty on joint counts of possessing 3.82 grams of methamphetamine and 22.6 grams of cannabis, seized in a police raid at a residence selling illicit drugs in Sopu, Nuku'alofa.