Results for From the Courts

Sosefo, aka Sione Poteki, who was driving around Tongatapu armed with a gun, while in possession of illicit drugs for sale was sentenced to three-years seven-months imprisonment.

The cases of five accused charged in relation to the cocaine seized in Vava'u have been adjourned to October 4, at the Magistrate's Court in Neiafu. The other accused remain in police custody. A total of 15 people (12 in Vava'u and three in Tongatapu) have been charged to date.

A 24-year-old man was sentenced today to four-years and six-months imprisonment for causing grievous harm, when he hit a man on the head with an iron rod and then punched another. His co-accused received a suspended sentence for a lesser count.

The three foreign nationals who were arrested and charged in relation to a cocaine haul in Vava‘u, were today released on bail, at the Magistrate's Court in Neiafu. Robin and Brenda Cox, and Calvin Manuceau will be called to appear in court again on August 17.

The trial of a former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Justice Sione Vuna Fa’otusia is now set for September 16 on two charges, relating to interference with the course of justice and use of threatening language to a government servant, during a cow row in 2019.

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.