Results for From the Courts

Tevita Valikoula (57) was sentenced today to five-years three-months imprisonment for receiving stolen Tongan properties valued at $19,400 pa’anga and encouraging another to steal $17,000 worth of kava plants. The judge said it was despicable the offender had exploited another man to his own advantage.

Seven men have pleaded guilty to charges that included jointly cultivating 2665 cannabis plants [99.6 kgs] at a tax allotment in Holonga, Vava’u.

Loketi Malie (39) is serving one-year three-months imprisonment for seriously harming a 56-year-old man, whom he hit on the leg with a piece of sandalwood in Futu, ‘Eua.

Taniela Moimoi (34) was found guilty at the Supreme Court for illicit drugs and ammunition offences. He will be sentenced on November 25.

Lisiate ‘Otuhouma (29) was found guilty at the Supreme Court for possession of 3 kilograms of methamphetamine at his home in Fahefa in April, 2019. He will be sentenced on October 30.

Cash of $5,639 pa’anga that was seized by Police from 'Epuefi Holiday Laimani in a drug bust, is “tainted property”. The Nuku'alofa Supreme Court ordered that the money be confiscated to the Crown, and deposited into a Tonga Confiscated and Forfeited Assets Fund.

Ma’ake Kali (42) was sentenced at the Nuku'alofa Supreme Court to two-years imprisonment for receiving a stolen motor vehicle in January 2019. He is a repeate offender, who escaped from prison after being sentenced on theft, and other offences.

'Iasinito Mataele Toke (38) who pleaded guilty to serious fraudulent conversion of $39,596 pa'anga from his employer Pacific Energy Ltd. was sentenced to two-years three-months imprisonment.

The Court of Appeal second session, which will hear Lord Tu’ivakano's appeal against his conviction is deferred to start on October 19 in Nuku'alofa.