A prisoner, Kali Malupo (57) was unsuccessful in his appeal against his conviction of causing grievous bodily harm, when he struck a 24-year-old man on the head using a machete in a group attack with his sons in Manuka, Tongatapu. However, in an appeal against sentence, his prison term was substantially reduced.
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Results for From the Courts
Monday 25 November 2024
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga

Friday 22 November 2024
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Kalauta Angilau was sentenced to 24 months imprisonment, with part suspended, for two charges of serious wilful damage and theft of a vehicle worth $20,000, which he stole from Kolofo'ou and dismantled in Vaini.

Thursday 21 November 2024
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Taniela Vaka (42) was sentenced to 12 years and 10 months imprisonment on charges including armed robberies committed against three victims in two separate incidents, on Tongatapu. After the first incident the accused was caught and interviewed by police but, “Extraordinarily, it appears he was then released on bail. For a man who had just admitted an armed robbery that appears to raise some serious questions,” said the judge.

Thursday 21 November 2024
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Satio Matakaiongo (43) was found guilty of possession of 43.07 grams of cannabis in Popua in April earlier this year.

Tuesday 19 November 2024
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Siaosi Halaholo Vete (42) was sentenced to two years imprisonment for three charges including serious housebreaking and theft of property totaling at around $46,798 from his sister’s home, in order to feed his methamphetamine habit.

Tuesday 19 November 2024
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Siosifa Tenefufu (56) was fined $500 pa’anga, to be paid within six months, for the possession of arms and ammunition without a license that included a shotgun and rifle at his home in Lakepa.

Friday 15 November 2024
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Lautaimi Tu’itavake (40) was jailed for 24 months in Hu’atolitoli Prison for charges including supplying 0.14 grams of methamphetamine, during a police undercover operation at Malapo in August 2023.

Wednesday 13 November 2024
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Sosaia Vatikani (40) was jailed for serious housebreaking and theft of property, including electrical goods, worth $15,200 pa’anga, from the Nursing School at Vaiola Hospital, in Nuku'alofa - where he left a trail of fingerprints.

Wednesday 13 November 2024
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Three men were found guilty on charges including serious housebreaking and unlawful imprisonment of another man, when they took him by force from his home at Sopu to Kahana Resort on Tongatapu because of a disputed loan of $150,000. One of the defendants was armed with a knife.

Monday 11 November 2024
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
An application by Lord Luani to grant and transfer over to him Lord Nuku’s tax allotment and two of his leases, was dismissed by Justice Tupou, who, among other reasons, was not convinced this was a genuine request for directions in the Land Court.

Friday 8 November 2024
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
‘Alipeti Tu’i’ile’ila was found not guilty on possession of 3.29 grams of methamphetamine at Popua last year, after a Supreme Court judge found that a Police Diary of the events was not a reliable record.

Thursday 31 October 2024
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
A couple, Tomu (51) and Ma’ata Pouono (47) were found guilty of possession of 0.12 grams of methamphetamine and 7.55 grams of cannabis at their residence in Lapaha in 2023.

Thursday 31 October 2024
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
A man who was selling methamphetamine and cannabis from a car in Vaini, Harris Satini (48), was convicted on charges relating to the possession of illicit drugs. Two others were convicted on charges relating to possession of illicit drugs.

Wednesday 30 October 2024
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Sosefo Vai Mafi (20) is serving three years and three months in prison for causing grievous bodily harm to Tone Fatongiatau (28) when he repeatedly punched him on the face, causing him to fall and hit his head on a cement floor, causing a fracture to his skull.

Tuesday 29 October 2024
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
A man accused of the theft of a tractor and other items from Mosese Uele in March this year, was found not guilty after a trial at the Supreme Court in Nuku’alofa, after the Prosecution failed to prove beyond reasonable doubt the charge.

Monday 28 October 2024
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Lautaimi Tu’itavake (40) was found guilty of charges including supplying 0.14 grams of methamphetamine, during a police undercover operation at Malapo in August 2023.

Monday 28 October 2024
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Kesomi Taufa (35) received a suspended sentence on conditions after being found guilty for possession of 0.03 grams of methamphetamine in Ma’ufanga.

Sunday 27 October 2024
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Eight young men were found guilty on charges relating to a brawl in central Nuku’alofa between two opposing groups from Ha‘ateiho and Paho last year. The charges included jointly causing grievous bodily harm to a victim from Pahu, who suffered life-endangering injuries. Seven of the accused punched and kicked the victim’s head, while another repeatedly hit the victim’s head with a sii branch, causing brain injury. The victim, died shortly afterwards.

Friday 25 October 2024
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Andy Fukofuka (37) was sentenced for possession of 0.9 grams of methamphetamine inside Hu’atolitoli Prison, after prison wardens were informed he was apparently selling the illicit drug.

Wednesday 23 October 2024
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Latanoa Fonua (21) was sentenced to three years imprisonment, fully suspended on conditions, for causing bodily injury to an 11-year-old boy at a bus station, while driving under the influence of alcohol. He was ordered to pay $2000 pa'anga as compensation to the complainant's family within 12 months.
