Tu’utalelei ‘Atuekaho (42) was sentenced to nine months imprisonment, fully suspended, for possession of 0.15 grams of methamphetamine and drugs utensils. He was ordered to do 100 hours of community work. “Given the problems faced by our country as a result of the rise in drug related offending, a first time offender should not expect to walk off without some kind of punishment being given,” said the Judge.
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Results for From the Courts
Tuesday 28 May 2024
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
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Tuesday 28 May 2024
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Matafonua Tupou (36) was sentenced to eight months imprisonment, fully suspended on conditions, for unlawful possession of drugs utensils, at Tu’atakilangi.
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Friday 24 May 2024
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Five men were found guilty of charges including theft, abetment to theft and receiving stolen property after over 300 cartons of meat were stolen from a container belonging to Star Fish company, at Ma’ufanga. One of the accused was a security guard who was paid “to look the other way” over a period of months in 2022. They will be sentenced in June.
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Thursday 23 May 2024
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Siosaia Taulahi (20) and Tevita Pasi (21) were imprisoned for serious housebreaking, theft and receiving valuable Tongan handicrafts worth around $231,700, stolen from the Tonga National Museum in 2022. Pasi was also sentenced for supplying methamphetamine to a minor. He manipulated a child to become involved in a high value theft of significant cultural artefacts and used the allure of illicit drugs to do so. It was a “deeply offensive crime”, said the judge. “The vandalism of the museum was a terrible act.” Most of the items stolen were never recovered.
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Friday 17 May 2024
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
‘Eva ‘Ailolo (aka ‘Eva ‘i Pomana Tau’ese) is serving nine months imprisonment for embezzlement of $72,857 pa’anga from Tonga Development Bank accounts, while working as a teller in Vava’u.
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Friday 17 May 2024
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
‘Etuate Lavulavu was fined $15,000 to be paid within four weeks, after he was found guilty of contempt of court, for the comments he made when he went on a program live-streamed on Facebook and YouTube and alleged bias against a trial judge. In sentencing him on 8 May, Acting Lord Chief Justice Tupou ordered that if the defendant failed to pay the fine within the appointed time, he shall be imprisoned for two weeks.
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Monday 13 May 2024
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
A farmer, Tu’ifua Angilau (37) was sentenced to imprisonment for possession of 1.95 grams of methamphetamine seized inside his vehicle, when Police intercepted him on a road at Tofoa. Part of the prison term was suspended.
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Monday 6 May 2024
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
A widowed mother of seven, Mele Havea (35) received 18 months imprisonment, fully suspended, after pleading guilty to charges of impersonating a customs officer in Vava’u. The judge said it was the first case of its kind in Tonga. “If she had not been caught in time, she may have eventually been able to scam more out of the Chinese shop owners.”
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Thursday 2 May 2024
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Sosiua Vea (37) in a ruthless deception of his best friend was imprisoned for obtaining money by false pretence, when the imported double cab vehicle that was supposed to be purchased was never delivered.
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Thursday 2 May 2024
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Sitiveni Tukuafu (28), a first time offender, was sentenced to two-years’ imprisonment with some part suspended for three charges that included possession of 4.78 grams of methamphetamine seized at Hofoa.
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Wednesday 1 May 2024
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
An action brought by Sosefo Penitani challenging the validity of a lease on his hereditary tax allotment registered in the name of another man, Pohiva Uele, claiming that his deceased father’s signature was forged, was dismissed by the Land Court, due to failure to meet the high standard of proof.
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Wednesday 1 May 2024
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
‘Etuate Siaosi Katoa (32) was jailed after pleading guilty to the falsification of accounts and theft of building supplies valued at $19,644 from his employer, while working as its delivery driver.
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Wednesday 1 May 2024
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Hemaloto Manukailea (50) was sentenced to 19-months imprisonment with part suspended for causing serious bodily harm, when he punched another man, fracturing his jaw, outside a bar in Nuku’alofa, on a night out of drinking alcohol. “The public must be protected from violence and the streets of Tonga must be safe places for the community. The custody threshold has been passed; this offence is so serious only a prison sentence is merited,” the judge said.
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Wednesday 1 May 2024
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Mosese Mafile’o Uasike (39) was sentenced on 23 April to eight months imprisonment, partially suspended, for charges, including possession of 0.99 grams of methamphetamine, in a drug bust at Kolomotu'a in September 2023. He concealed meth inside a vape.
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Wednesday 1 May 2024
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
A father of four, Sosaia Fifita (36) was jailed for charges including possession of 1.16 grams of methamphetamine during a drug bust in Tofoa last year. A repeat offender, his problem with methamphetamine use dated back to 2009. The judge set the starting point at 24 months “in the light of his continued and determined drug dealing.”
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Tuesday 16 April 2024
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
A Crown application was granted to appeal against the sentencing of Falakiko ‘Asisi Mafi (43) on the grounds that it was manifestly inadequate for reckless driving, causing the death of his Fijian wife.
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Monday 15 April 2024
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
A Supreme Court ruling has restrained Tonga's Public Service Commission from advertising or recruiting a Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, while suspending the appointment of Paula Ma’u as its Acting Chief Executive Officer. "The dispute at this level of Government, between Foreign Secretary and Ministry of Foreign Affairs, by its nature is pressing; it’s potential to be damaging both domestically and internationally axiomatic," stated Mr Justice Cooper.
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Friday 12 April 2024
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Vaha Afimeimo'unga (41) will serve 12 months in prison, for two counts of possession of a .22 rifle and ammunition without a license, which he committed while on bail for other offences.
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Thursday 11 April 2024
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
A man charged with two counts that included the theft of a vehicle from the Vaiola Hospital car park was found not guilty, although there was evidence that he was a passenger in the stolen car. The Supreme Court judge stated that two of the Crown witnesses 'Miki" Taulaki and Moala 'Ikani should have instead been charged with the offences.
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Wednesday 10 April 2024
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
'Aisea Havea (35) and Kaniteli Guttenbeil (33) who were caught red-handed sitting in their car with eight small packets of cannabis and a pipe in an open bag between them at Popua, were found guilty of possession and sentenced to jail terms.
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