Lord Chief Justice Whitten QC, convicted 'Inoke Silongo F. Tonga, a meth addict, of the murder at a beach in Tatakamotonga.
The 27 year-old, who was living at Halaleva and was originally from Vava'u, had pleaded guilty to the murder charge on September 2.
He appeared for sentencing in the Nuku'alofa Supreme Court on October 11.
The injuries inflicted on the victim were among the worst encountered by the court according to Matangi Tonga online.
The murderer had taken alcohol and a heavy dose of meth on the night of the murder.