A man has been sentenced to three years and four months’ imprisonment for a violent machete attack that left his victim with serious and permanent injuries.
Christopher ‘Opeti Tupe, 20, pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm, an offence that carries a maximum penalty of 10 years’ imprisonment.
He entered his plea at the earliest opportunity, had no previous convictions, and fully cooperated with police, factors which the Court acknowledged as significant mitigation.
However, Justice Paul Garlick KC said the offending was extremely serious and demanded an immediate custodial sentence.
Drunken dispute turned into armed attack
The Court heard that the defendant and complainant had been drinking together in ‘Eua Island when an argument broke out.
The complainant became angry after Tupe drove off in his car and later found him at a bar in Tufu, where another fight took place before the complainant returned Tupe home.
Tupe then armed himself with a machete, went to the complainant’s home and repeatedly swung the weapon at him, striking his left arm and other parts of his body.
The victim suffered a deep laceration to his left wrist measuring approximately 6cm by 4cm, with the Court noting the injuries were “very serious and permanent.”
Sentence and Suspension
Justice Garlick said the case clearly passed the threshold for imprisonment, setting a starting sentence of five years, reduced by one third due to the guilty plea and cooperation with police.
While the defence had asked for full suspension, the judge ruled the seriousness of the violence required jail time.
However, he agreed there was strong rehabilitation potential given the offender’s age, remorse, community support and forgiveness from the victim.
The Court suspended the final two years of the sentence for a period of two years, subject to strict conditions, including probation supervision, anger-management and alcohol education programmes, community service, and a requirement not to reoffend.
Tupe must report to probation within 48 hours of release.
The sentence was delivered on 5 December 2025 in Nuku‘alofa.
