A Tongatapu woman arrested and charged with possessing methamphetamine has escaped a prison sentence.
Miss Siena Li was sentenced in the Nuku’alofa Supreme Court by Judge Nicholas Cooper for smashing a pipe used to smoke drugs and possession of 0.08g methamphetamine, a Class A drug.
The court was told that Miss Li was arrested in a car, outside the Kiwi tyre shop, Ha’ateiho, on March 2, 2024 at approximately 3am that morning.
She was seen disposing of the pipe when the police arrived at the location after receiving a tip-off.
She was searched, and the bag of methamphetamine was recovered.
She was arrested, charged and committed to the Supreme Court.
On 6 August 2024, she appeared for arraignment and entered her guilty pleas.
Miss Li did not wish for a pre-sentence report but rather to be sentenced straight away.
Miss Li has a previous conviction, but the Crown made clear that it was not for illicit drugs, though it was not known what the precise nature of the conviction was.
She was sentenced to six months’ imprisonment, fully suspended for two years on the following conditions:
- To report to probation no later than 2pm, August 7, 2024;
- Miss Li must be placed on probation;
- To complete a drug rehabilitation course; Perform 40 hours Community Service Order; and
- Miss Li must not commit any offence punishable by imprisonment.
Drugs and paraphernalia to be forfeited and destroyed.
