A Tongatapu man who inappropriately touched a girl has been given a suspended sentence.
Siaosi Fatafehi, 41, was at the complainant’s home, where she was in the kitchen alone with her cousin.
Fatafehi walked up and stood next to her, stoked her left buttock, and then walked out of the kitchen, causing her to be scared at the time.
The court document said that his case was serious because he was 41 years old, and the complainant was 13.
“You have expressed remorse by apologising to the family and making payment to the family, which has been accepted”, the judgement said.
Sentencing, the Lord Chief Justice said: “I make it clear that no one in this Court can buy their way out of prison, but I accept that what you did was not with that in mind but to expiate what you had done:.
For one count of serious indecent assault, the Lord Chief Justice imposed a sentence of six months imprisonment fully suspended on the following conditions:
a. He must report to the Probation Office within 48 hours from today.
b. He must not commit any further offence punishable by imprisonment during your suspension period.
c. He must complete 40 hours of community service within 12 months.
d. He must complete a course on sexual awareness by the Salvation Army at the direction of the Probation Office.
