Margaret River

Tongan seasonal worker faces jail time after child sex conviction in Australia

After deliberating for more than three hours following the four-day trial, the Busselton District Court jury found 24-year-old Sione Vaioleti not guilty of aggravated sexual penetration without consent.

ABC Pacific reports the jury did, however, find him guilty of having sexual intercourse with a child under the age of 16.

One jury member cried as the verdict was handed down, while Vaioleti showed no emotion.

The lesser charge carries a maximum penalty of 14 years in prison, with Judge John Prior saying it was inevitable that Vaioleti would be jailed.