A man has been jailed for 12 years and 10 months after admitting to stealing two cars at knifepoint in two separate incidents on Tongatapu.
Justice Nicholas Cooper, in sentencing, said Taniela Vaka, 42, had been indicted at the Magistrate Court, and the details of his offences and charges were not available to him.
In the first incident, Police apprehended the prisoner and interviewed but, “Extraordinarily, it appears he was then released on bail. For a man who had just admitted an armed robbery that appears to raise some serious questions,” said Mr Cooper.
The court heard that on 20 November 2023, the victim was walking to his car at approximately 11.30pm, having bought groceries from a store in Kolofo’ou. He got into his vehicle.
Mr Vaka got into the front passenger seat, produced a knife and instructed the victim to drive.
Mr. Vaka directed him to drive to Ananā. As he drove, at knifepoint, he took an opportunity to flee and jumped out of the car.
The victim went to the police and reported the loss of his car, worth approximately $20,000.00 and the groceries and cash therein, worth about $5,782.00. Albeit that only $50.00 was made up in cash.
Mr Vaka was arrested that same day. He was interviewed on 4 December 2023 and admitted his involvement in the offence.
Mother and daughter
In the second incident, a mother and 27-year-old daughter, were in their car, at their gate on 23 January 2024. They were waiting for the husband and father of their family to lock the front gate and get in their car to join them.
Instead, Mr Vaka, armed with a knife, got into the rear seat and, at knifepoint, commanded the two women to drive.
He took a handbag belonging to one of the victims and stole cash from it, TOP $1,000.00 and NZ$ 200.00.
Mr Vaka then got out of the vehicle, but not before threatening both ladies that he would return to find them at their home if they reported this offence to the police.
A member of the public who knows Mr Vaka saw the women being threatened in their car with a knife and raised the alarm.
“The police chased him, but he hid. He evaded them initially”, the court heard.
The Police attended to the victims and recovered the knife from the car.
Mr Cooper said: “I note that no details as to this weapon have been provided, either for this offence or the last”.
“No circumstances have been provided to explain Mr Vaka’s arrest”.
Calculating his jail term, Mr Cooper said: “That gives a sentence of 12 years and 10 months’ imprisonment”.
“Regrettably Mr. Vaka has committed offences of this kind time and again.
Drug Addiction
“He indulged in drug use and, I have no doubt, then robbed and stole to fund that habit.
“He did not care about the harm and fear he caused.
Mr Cooper also said he refused to suspend any part of Mr Vaka’s sentence since he “ clearly is a high risk of re-offending and to society at large”
“He must serve his full term and no part can be suspended. His sentence will be back dated to his first remand, 21 May 2024”.
