Tonga Court

Tongamoa Kakau, 32, served only six months of his three-year sentence after Judge Langi suspended two years for three years following his release.

As Kakau has no relevant or recent criminal conviction since he was convicted in 2004 for the offence of assault, Judge Langi deducted six months, leaving a total sentence of two years and six months.

Kaniva news reports Kakau was found guilty of one count of serious indecent assault contrary to section 124 (1) and (3) of the Criminal Offences Act.

Faka’anaua Ki Late Niutupuivaha appeared before Justice Charles Cato on charges dating back to 2006.

Kaniva News reports the charges were brought against him by two women who gave evidence of repeated sexual assaults over several years.

Justice Cato described Niutupuivaha’s behaviour as “predatory.”

He said the accused had taken advantage of very young women by entering their rooms, strangling them to keep them from crying out it and assaulting them.

He said he had no hesitation in accepting the women’s testimony.

Matangi Tonga reports the charges against Lord Tu'iha'ateiho included trespassing, possession of ammunition without a license, unlawful imprisonment, discharging a firearm within the boundaries of a town and killing swine.

The Crown withdrew a sixth count of public disturbance.

On 15 April, it was alleged that the noble had gone to a vehicle dealer with a firearm and unlawfully detained a watchman.

The court also heard on 20 April he was alleged to have shot two pigs, discharging the firearm in a public area.

Kaniva News reports the new salary structures were recommended in Remuneration Authority reports of June 2014 and September 2015 and which it was said had been approved by Cabinet on 8 July 2016.

However, Lord Chief Justice Owen Paulsen said: “The pleadings are defective; The issues raised are not justiciable; There is no arguable ground advanced for review”.