Results for From the Courts

Sione Pongi (36) is serving 16-months imprisonment for drugs offences, after the Supreme Court replaced his original 10-months sentence imposed by the Magistrates Court, in a successful appeal by the Crown against sentence. “That he cooperated with the police I respectfully consider irrelevant when in reality he was caught red handed,” stated the judge.

A fraudulent online car dealer, Filimone To‘aho (43), was sentenced to seven years imprisonment with the final year suspended for eight charges of receiving a total of $243,486 by false pretences in a scam on Facebook. His victims, six women and two men, included a prince.

Two repeat offenders were jailed for charges that included cultivation of cannabis weighing 64.55 grams and possession of drugs utensils. While a co-offender received a suspended sentence, on conditions, at the Magistrate's Court in Nukunuku.

A senior reserve bank official, Tēvita Nonu Kolokihakaufisi (39), appeared together with his sister, ‘Ana Longolongo Kolokihakaufisi (37) at the Magistrate’s Court in Nuku'alofa, yesterday afternoon, Monday 12 February, on charges related to a haul of 15.657kg of methamphetamine seized by Police on the weekend. Tonga Police estimated the street value of the seized illicit drugs at TOP$15 million.

Luo Wopeng (25) was fined $700 to be paid within a month or face two months in prison for possession of arm (pistol) which is prohibited and ammunition without a license.

A sleep-deprived, unlicensed driver, who nodded off at the wheel after refusing to hand over the driving to another, will go to prison for reckless driving causing the death of her aunt, a passenger, who was sleeping in the back of her car when it crashed into a power pole in eastern Tongatapu.

Tupou Seluini Tahilanu (28) was sentenced to 18-months imprisonment with some part suspended for embezzlement of $47,521 from her employer, Tonga Power Ltd. in 2022.

Falakiko ‘Asisi Mafi (43) was sentenced to two-years six-months imprisonment partially suspended for reckless driving that caused the death of his wife in a road crash in 2023.

Venasio Hau (32) was sentenced to four-years and six-months imprisonment, partially suspended, for possession of 27.76 grams of methamphetamine, while his two co-accused received suspended sentences. The illicit drugs were seized after Police received information of it being sold at a residence in Ma'ufanga.