The Supreme Court in Tonga has sentenced a man to eight years imprisonment for stabbing a soldier to death in 2015.
Tevita Halalima Hafoka of Kolofo’ou was 25 years old when he killed Sioeli Finau during a fight in Nuku’alofa on July 11, 2015.
Kaniva News reports on the night of the incident, Hafoka had gone out to a bar with his wife and her sister.
They left the bar when it closed at 11.30pm to go to the town square.
Finau was at a coffee shop nearby with some friends.
The court heard, the deceased, who was intoxicated, then approached Hafoka’s wife and asked her to have sex with him.
The woman swore at Finau and he slapped her.
Hafoka saw what had happened and attacked Finau.
The court also heard that Finau ran away and then called Hafoka to a fight.
Hafoka in turn grabbed a knife from his pocket, stabbed Finau then threw the knife away.
Finau was pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital.
The court also heard that Hafoka, who was cooperative with police during the investigation, has a history of criminal convictions.
Justice Charles Cato ruled that although Hafoka had a criminal past, he should be given a chance to rehabilitate himself.
Photo Kaniva News. Caption: Sioeli Finau (insert)