Nuku’alofa, Tonga – The Supreme Court of Tonga has convicted and sentenced 28-year-old Toni Alatini to two years and three months imprisonment for causing serious bodily harm in a violent machete attack last August.
The final 12 months of his sentence have been suspended for two years, pending good behaviour.
The court heard that on the evening of August 3, 2024, the victim, Sosefo Taufa, and two friends were at a Chinese store in Veitongo when Alatini launched an unprovoked attack. Initially targeting Taufa’s friends outside the store, Alatini fled before Taufa could intervene.
Later that night, around 9pm, Taufa and his friends returned to the shop, where Alatini confronted them again.
When Taufa questioned him, Alatini threatened to beat them up. After Taufa punched Alatini, knocking him to the ground, the defendant grabbed a machete from beside his bicycle and slashed Taufa’s left arm, leaving a 30 cm wound before fleeing on his bicycle.
Taufa was rushed to Vaiola Hospital, where doctors treated the deep laceration. A medical report by Dr Halafihi on August 5 confirmed the severity of the injury.
Alatini, 23, was arrested on August 8 and later pleaded guilty to willfully causing serious harm without lawful justification.
No Remorse Shown
An impact report presented in court revealed that the complainant suffered significant pain from his injury and was unable to sleep the night of the attack.
Although the wound has since healed, he remains traumatised by the incident and feels apprehensive at the sight of a machete.
The report noted that while the defendant’s mother apologised to the victim, the defendant himself has never personally expressed remorse.
The complainant acknowledged seeing Alatini around Veitongo occasionally, but emphasised that no direct apology had been offered for the violent assault.
Justice Tupou noted that the defendant is single and currently lives in Veitongo. He is the fifth child in a family of 12 siblings.
The defendant was raised by his father’s younger brother, Heimoana, and Heimoana’s wife, Sulia. However, when the couple separated, the defendant remained with Sulia, who later remarried.
The court heard that the defendant struggled emotionally with his adoptive parents’ separation, describing that period of his life as “unstable and falling apart.”
Justice Tupou said: “I asked the Defendant if he wished to say anything before I delivered his sentence today.
He did not.”
