The men accused of various criminal offences that range from raping a woman, serious house breaking, robbery to home invasion were sentenced in Nuku’alofa Supreme Court Tuesday 28 April.
Four co-defendants would spend a minimum of two to four and half years in prison.
A statement from Tonga’s Attorney General Office today said on June 10, 2014 the six defendants travelled from Lapaha to Nuku’alofa in a white 3 tonne truck belonging to one of the defendants.
“At about 3:00 am, the Defendants drove to the victim’s residence at Sopu, where they broke into the house and tied up a female occupant, who was alone at the residence”.
It said: “The Defendants had covered their faces with shirts, then robbed the residence of various goods in excess of $10,000 in value, and then they left the residence. One of the accused however raped the female occupant”.
The first accused, who is 34 years old and was not named in the Attorney General’s statement, was convicted of robbery, conspiracy to commit serious housebreaking, conspiracy to commit theft and serious housebreaking, and he was sentenced to 6 years imprisonment with the final 18 months (1 year and 6 months) suspended on conditions. He is therefore required to serve 4½ years imprisonment. He will be tried for the rape charge at a later date.
‘Amanaki Tupou’ata, 20, was convicted of robbery, conspiracy to commit serious housebreaking, conspiracy to commit theft and serious housebreaking and he was sentenced to 4½ years imprisonment with the final 18 months (1 year and 6 months) suspended on conditions. He is therefore required to serve 3 years imprisonment.
Petelo Mo’unga, 17, was convicted of robbery, conspiracy to commit serious housebreaking, conspiracy to commit theft and serious housebreaking, and he was sentenced to serve 4 years imprisonment, with the final 2 years suspended on conditions. He is therefore required to serve 2 years imprisonment.
Peni Tomasi Mo’unga, 19, was convicted of robbery, conspiracy to commit serious housebreaking, conspiracy to commit theft and serious housebreaking, and he was sentenced to 3½ years imprisonment with the final 18 months (1 year and 6 months) suspended on conditions. He is therefore required to serve 2 years imprisonment.
‘Atunaisa Tupou’ata, 23, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit serious housebreaking, conspiracy to commit theft and abetment to commit serious housebreaking. He was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment but fully suspended on conditions.
Siosaia Tu’uhoko, 21, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit serious housebreaking and conspiracy to commit theft. He was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment, which was fully suspended on condition that he undertakes 40 hours community service.
