Results for From the Courts

Sione Tupou received a fully suspended sentence for possession of 0.041gm of methamphetamine. While, ringleader and co-offender was jailed this week for possession of a substantial amount of drugs, seized in their vehicle.

Hon. Mr Justice Cooper has rejected an application that he recuse himself from presiding over the Lavulavu trial. The application was made by 'Etuatu Lavulavu on 10 May. The judge concluded that evidence during the trial suggested that Lavulavu's complaints that he undermined its fairness, were without any foundation. The trial against the Lavulavu couple continues in the Nuku'alofa Supreme Court.

The trial against current Cabinet Minister ‘Akosita Lavulavu and her husband 'Etuate Lavulavu is going ahead, after a Supreme Court judge ruled there is a criminal case to answer against both of them on all three counts. They are jointly charged with obtaining over $500,000 pa'anga by false pretences, relating to a number of irregularities in an audit at the ‘Unuaki ‘o Tonga Royal Institute. It is alleged that the couple knowingly falsified student applications in order to claim TVET grants.

‘Alifeleti Uasi (18) was sentenced today to 18-months imprisonment for causing serious bodily harm, when he injured a shopkeeper with rocks at a Chinese shop. He was drunk and was denied getting a can of soda, which he did not have enough money for. The judge said it was clear that the accused had a very real problem with alcohol.

‘Epuefi Laimani was sentenced to five and a half years imprisonment for possession of 5.15gms of methamphetamine, 3.59gms of cannabis, while offering cash as bribes to a police officer. The court found that he intended to sell the illicit drugs.

Woody Kalekale (52) was sentenced to eight-months imprisonment for possession of illicit drugs, which was fully suspended on conditions.

Kapuana ‘Unga was sentenced to three-years imprisonment for causing serious bodily harm to a victim using a machete, at Ha’alaufuli, Vava’u in 2020. The judge said, “What you and the people who were with you were doing was most irresponsible and reckless that you did not stop to think of the consequences."

Salesi Fa’aoa (a.k.a. Mahelofa Tuputau) was sentenced to nine-months imprisonment for possession of 0.3 grams of methamphetamine and 22 rounds of .22 calibre ammunition, seized by Tonga Police after receiving information that he was selling illicit drugs from his car.

A 62-year-old repeat sexual offender was sentenced to eight-years and nine-months imprisonment for rape and other counts of carnal knowledge of a young person. He is a dangerous offender, revealed a pre-sentence sentence at the Nuku'alofa Supreme Court.