Results for From the Courts

A 28-year-old man who pleaded guilty to seriously injuring his brother when he hit him with a machete, suffers from mental illness. He was ordered by the Supreme Court to be involuntarily admitted to the Vaiola Hospital Psychiatric Unit, instead of being sentenced.

Two 16-year-olds who pleaded guilty to carnal knowledge of a young girl under the age of 15 years and simple indecent assault received non-custodial sentences, at the Nuku'alofa Supreme Court on May 29. “In the ordinary case, a custodial sentence would be warranted in order to reflect the Court's denunciation of this alarmingly prevalent type of offending, to protect young girls in society and effect adequate deterrence,” the Lord Chief Justice said.

A man who raped his wife was sent to jail for over five years by the Lord Chief Justice, who sent out a clear message that in any civilized society unwanted sexual violence cannot be justified or tolerated. "Marital rape is a common but under-reported crime."

A man was acquitted of unlawful possession of cannabis and methamphetamine by a Supreme Court judge, who found the police search unlawful. In addition, prosecution failed to prove the charges beyond reasonable doubt.

The Crown has been ordered by the Lord Chief Justice to return more than $10,000 in cash to a local Chinese business. The cash was forfeited when he was charged for false declaration, at Fua'amotu International Airport in 2018.

Lisiate ‘Otuhouma (29), charged in the seizure of three kilograms of methamphetamine at Fahefa, has pleaded not guilty at the Supreme Court.

Tonga's Supreme Court will consider forfeiture to the Crown of an 'Eua passenger ferry that carried an excessive number of passengers in dangerous waters at night in January last year, after the Master was found guilty yesterday of permitting the MV 'Onemato to sail carrying excess passengers.

A 32-year-old fisherman who pleaded guilty to possession of 0.61 grams of methamphetamine received suspended sentence, at the Supreme Court on April 27.

A 17-year old student has been found guilty by a Supreme Court judge for stabbing another boy in the head with a sharp object, in a school fight in Nuku'alofa, last year.