Results for From the Courts

THE Tongan Court of Appeal 2010 Session, which begins next week July 5-14 will hear 17 appeal cases, including an appeal against lashing sentences imposed for theft convictions.

TONGA Police have charged a 39-year-old man for raping a 17-year-old girl in Tongatapu.

Two mothers received an immediate sentence of two and a half years imprisonment each on May 31, after fraudulently cashing around $4,700 out of a stolen cheque of $11,326 from their employer E. M. Jones Ltd, in order to cover up a shortage in sales.

The Preliminary Inquiry for the Shipping Corporation of Polynesia Ltd and four other persons, who have been charged with various offences over the loss of lives in the MV Princess Ashika sinking last year, will be held on July 21 at the Fasi Magistrate's Court.

The Niuas Noble's Representative in the Tongan Legislative Assembly, Noble Tangipa, was acquitted by a jury on June 1, on the charge of causing grievous bodily harm by stabbing Gerhard Sanft with a knife at the Hotel Nuku'alofa in 2008.

The jury trial of Noble Tangipa who has been charged with the causing of grievous bodily harm by stabbing a young man with a knife in 2008 continued at the Nuku'alofa Supreme Court on May 28.

Sione Talia'uli (31) of Popua was sentenced on May 21 to life imprisonment for the murder of his four-year-old-son Tutei Talia'uli whom he repeatedly assaulted at Popua, in September last year.

The first death certificates issued for victims of the Ashika ferry sinking were issued for the late Fetaulaki Mahe (25) and his three-year-old son Filimone Monti Mahe by Chief Justice Hon Anthony Ford on May 14.

A Customs Officer from Halaleva, Tevita Pati Kata (42) was today found guilty of the importation and possession of the illicit drug methamphetamine, worth an estimated NZD$10-17 million, seized in a large drug bust last September by the Tonga Police.