Three women and one man who were charged in connection with the housebreaking, theft, and arson of the Free Wesleyan Church minister’s residence in Longolongo were sentenced earlier this month for their crimes.
Appearing at the Nuku’alofa Supreme Court, Taniela Matangi, 38, was found guilty of breaking into the complainant’s home in Tongatapu’s Longolongo town on a Sunday in September 2024, stealing items totalling TOP$18,765, USD$4,150, and NZD$8,120.
The notorious offender was apprehended after a child living near the residence provided his description to police.
The child reported that Matangi had left in a neighbour’s vehicle and was dropped off at a residence in Popua.
Matangi’s Separate Offence
The court was told that in a separate offence, Matangi stole from the same residence on his own. On a Sunday in February 2025, Matangi entered the property and stole items valued at a total of $40,600, while Shalina Kumar and ‘Ana Fifita remained in the vehicle.
All the items were cultural tapa and mats of high monetary and cultural value.
Matangi then set fire to one of the bedrooms, exited the house, and once the stolen items were loaded into the vehicle, he told Shalina and ‘Ana to leave. They then drove to Kolomotu‘a.
He made several attempts to sell some of the stolen items but was unsuccessful until he eventually sold two white mats to the fourth defendant, Ma‘ata Ngaue, the court documents show.
In sentencing Matangi, Judge Bishop said he considered the charge of serious arson to be the most severe offence and designated it as the lead charge.
The judge also said Matangi entered an early guilty plea and cooperated with the police, which he considered as mitigating factors. As a result, the judge reduced Matangi’s sentence for serious arson by two years, making a total of five years’ imprisonment.
Receiving Stolen Property
Shalina Kumar, 43, was sentenced for receiving stolen property. Lord Chief Justice Bishop stated that this was a serious matter, as the stolen mats were highly valuable and of cultural significance.
The judge noted that while Kumar was not young and had multiple prior convictions, she had cooperated with police and pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity in her case.
‘Ana Fifita was sentenced for receiving stolen property. She was the youngest of five siblings, unmarried, and has a five-year-old son. She has no known health issues, is unemployed, but helps out at her sister’s seafood market in Patangata.
Ma’ata Ngaue was sentenced for receiving stolen property. The court heard that she was the fourth of ten children, a mother of three, and is now separated from her second husband due to domestic violence and his involvement in criminal activities.
She is in good health, but did not finish secondary school due to financial difficulties. To support her family, she sells crops at the local market.
All Pleaded Guilty
All four previously pleaded guilty to their respective charges and were sentenced at the Supreme Court on July 8, They are:
- Matangi, was sentenced to a total period of eight years imprisonment with the last 12 months suspended for two years on conditions.
- Kumar was sentenced to three years’ imprisonment with the last six months suspended for two years on conditions.
- Fifita was sentenced to three years’ imprisonment with the last six months suspended for two years on conditions.
- Ngaue was sentenced to 16 months’ imprisonment with the last four months suspended for two years on conditions.
