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COMMENTARY: Prime Minister Pōhiva warned about use of circulars, said they muzzled Opposition MPs

By
Kalino Latu
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EDITOR’S NOTE: This commentary was edited to reflect the fact that the response from the Deputy Clerk was meant to say that the Parliament using the circular was a normal means of communication.

COMMENTARY: It is time for the practice of using circulars to make decisions in Parliament was reviewed.

Circulars should only be used on agendas that are urgent.

They should not be used on important issues such as pay rises for Parliamentarians.

Such issues should be properly debated in the House so that they can be recorded in the minutes for the public to read and also broadcast for people to listen.

As Kaniva News reported yesterday, the government’s use of a circular to canvas MPs’ views on a pay rise has been called into question.

However, the Legislative Assembly’s Deputy Clerk, Dr Sione Vikilani, said the circular was a normal means of communication approved by the House and any information sent through it was legal.

In Tongan he said: “Ko e tohi ‘avetakai ko e founga ngāue pe ‘oku ‘ataa ke ngaue’aki pea ‘oku ‘ikai ke ta’efakalao ha tu’utu’uni ‘i hono fakahoko ‘i he founga koia”.

Dr Vikilani did not respond to a question asking why a circular was used to ballot the pay hike and not a face-to-face voting in the House.

READ MORE

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Bad luck fears mount amid debates on MPs’ controversial Mate Ma‘a attendance

In 2018 Tonga’s former Prime Minister, the late ‘Akilisi Pōhiva, warned that using circulars in Parliament was open to abuse.

Speaking to Kaniva News, Pōhiva said the use of circulars was normal but did not allow for discussion.

MPs, especially the Opposition, could not debate whatever agenda was being circulated.

He said that traditionally Speakers and the Noble’s representatives, who were mostly the majority  in the House, used it to ballot issues they wanted to be decided in their favour.

The late Prime Minister’s comments were made during an interview in 2018 about the decision to approve an invitation from the Tonga Rugby League for a Parliament delegation to attend a match.

The decision was adopted through a circular, by collective resolution of Parliament.

Prime Minister Pōhiva’s concerns are just as relevant today as they were four years ago.

Debates and voting in the House must be open so that all citizens can see how their MPs voted and debate can be held in public.

This was illustrated in our story yesterday when Dr Vikilani would not say how MPs voted on the circular. 

A Parliament with secrets is not truly democratic.

Anthem protest turns to asylum bid as Iranian players escape in Australia

By
Kaniva Staff
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Five Iranian women’s national football players have made a daring escape from their government minders in Australia, successfully seeking asylum after days of mounting pressure, international attention, and fears for their safety.

The players — who had been competing in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup on the Gold Coast — were at the centre of global headlines after they refused to sing Iran’s national anthem before a match, prompting Iranian state television to brand them “traitors” back home.

According to Australian media reports, the players slipped away from their minders late Monday night, where Australian Federal Police and Queensland Police were waiting as part of a pre-arranged protection operation.

Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke confirmed that the women were escorted from their hotel and taken to a secure location as their asylum pleas were processed.

By 1.30am Tuesday, Australian authorities had finalised their temporary humanitarian visas. Witnesses described scenes of relief and celebration as the players cried “Aussie, Aussie, Aussie!” after receiving confirmation they would remain safely in Australia.

Why They Fled

The team’s anthem protest came at a time of heightened tension inside Iran, where war had broken out and conservative media demanded harsh punishment for the women.

Iranian government officials had been accompanying the team in Australia, closely monitoring their movements throughout the tournament.

The five players — including team captain Zahra Ghanbari — feared returning home as pressure intensified. Some teammates reportedly considered seeking asylum as well, while others hesitated due to fears for family members in Iran.

Australian officials had been positioned on the sidelines of the team’s final match, discreetly signalling that help was available if the women wanted to talk.

Conversations began before dawn on Monday and continued until the players made the difficult choice to break away from their official escorts.

The Albanese government had remained silent publicly, with Minister Burke stating that protecting the women’s ability to express their wishes freely required complete operational secrecy.

International Reactions

The case drew attention from around the world. Former U.S. President Donald Trump criticised Australia’s initial silence and publicly urged the government to grant asylum.

After the visas were approved, he praised Prime Minister Anthony Albanese for “doing a very good job” in a “delicate situation.”

Iran, meanwhile, condemned the players in state media, insisting they had dishonoured the nation by refusing to sing the anthem.

Reports also indicated that Iran’s football authorities had lodged complaints over alleged political interference by foreign governments.

What Happens Next

All five players are now in protective accommodation in Australia.

Officials say they will be supported as they transition to life in the country, with the offer of assistance extended to the rest of the team should they choose to pursue asylum as well.

“These women are great athletes, great people, and they are going to feel very much at home in Australia,” Minister Burke said.

For now, the five athletes who risked everything appear to have found safety — but the fate of their remaining teammates, still under Iranian supervision, remains uncertain.

Research sheds new light on pusiaki, Tongan adoption

By
Kaniva Staff
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Auckland, NZ — New doctoral research from Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland, is reframing the Indigenous Tongan practice of pusiaki—often translated as adoption—as a deeply relational, historically rooted system of kinship that fundamentally differs from Western models of child placement.

Doctoral candidate Amanda SullivanLee is reimagining pusiaki, Indigenous Tongan adoption.

Pacific Studies doctoral candidate Amanda SullivanLee is leading the study, which positions pusiaki as a practice defined by “historically sustained openness, movement and continued ties between birth and adoptive families.”

Her work challenges the assumption that adoption involves a singular and permanent transfer of parental rights, instead highlighting pusiaki as a fluid, community‑centred model in which children remain connected to lineage, land and extended kin networks.

SullivanLee’s doctoral thesis, Reclaiming Connection: Indigenous Tongan Adoption (Pusiaki) in Historical Perspective, draws on Pacific storywork, talanoa, oral history, and archival research to map both historical and contemporary expressions of pusiaki. Her multi-method approach reflects a growing scholarly movement that centres Indigenous knowledge systems and critically examines archival silences.

SullivanLee, who was raised in San Francisco and is herself an adoptee, says the work carries both intellectual and emotional significance.

“Talking about adoption is intellectually challenging — and it’s also emotionally challenging,” she says. “As an adopted Pacific person raised outside the Pacific, returning to Indigenous frameworks has been both rigorous and healing.”

Her personal journey enriches the wider academic conversation on Pacific adoption practices, particularly the relational philosophies embedded in Tongan culture.

A Kinship System Predating Missionary Influence

Historical evidence shows that pusiaki predates missionary contact and developed within a complex Tongan kinship system structured around reciprocity, respect and collective wellbeing. Far from severing ties between birth and adoptive families, pusiaki ensures that children continue to move within and sustain relationships across households and generations. This stands in stark contrast to Western closed-adoption models that prioritize legal finality over relational continuity.

Children adopted through pusiaki typically retain enduring ties to their fonua (land), fāmili (family), and vā (the sacred relational space), preserving the cultural and spiritual foundations that shape identity and belonging in Tongan society.

In December 2025, SullivanLee presented her findings at the Pacific History Association Conference in Sāmoa, joining fellow Pacific scholars committed to Indigenous-led research methodologies. Their collective work honours pioneering figures such as Linda Tuhiwai Smith, Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Ta‘isi Efi, Sione Latukefu, Okusitino Mahina, and Albert Wendt, who advocate for Pacific histories that are created “with us, not about us.”

The research contributes to ongoing conversations about identity, belonging and care within Pacific communities, especially for adoptees navigating life across cultures and diasporas.

Restoring Connection Across the Moana

By placing pusiaki in its appropriate cultural and historical context, SullivanLee’s work restores relational care to the centre of adoption narratives in the Moana.

Her study not only deepens public understanding of Tongan kinship but also challenges institutions and policymakers to reconsider how Indigenous adoption frameworks might inform contemporary discussions of child welfare and cultural preservation.

As her research continues, it promises to reshape dialogues across academia, communities and the global Tongan diaspora—grounding them in a framework that honours movement, connection and the responsibilities of kin.

The roles of ‘ave e halá, fakahā teu and tā lahi in QSC’s centennial preparations

By
Kalino Latu
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Explainer – As Queen Sālote College (QSC) prepares to mark its historic 100‑year celebration on Wednesday, three major cultural practices have taken centre stage in the lead‑up to the event: fakahā teu, tā lahi, and ‘ave ‘o e hala.

These traditions are core elements of Tongan ceremonial protocol and are always observed before major national or royal occasions.

Last week, cultural festivities signalled the celebration’s momentum as students and ex‑students from Tonga and abroad streamed into the Royal Palace in Nuku‘alofa to make their presentations.

Fakahā teu (literally, formal showcasing of cultural attire) is the formal display of cultural attire, adornments, and ceremonial regalia crafted for the main day, particularly the garments worn by the faiva performers.

Tā lahi or tā lahi ‘o e faiva’ (literally, the big rehearsal) is the full-scale performance that takes place just before the main event. It ensures that performers, dancers, choir members, and cultural groups are aligned in timing, movement, formation, and protocol.

‘Ave ‘o e hala (literally, carry on the path) – refers to the customary act of presenting goods—such as handicrafts, yams, and a hog—carried along a designated space leading to the place (hala) where the event is taking place.

It serves as a way of fakahoko fatongia or updating the most important figures in the nofo ‘a kāinga—in this case, the King and Queen, who is also a QSC ex‑student, and their daughter—on the progress of the main preparations. Although they do not take part in these activities, they are formally informed as they look ahead and prepare for the celebration.

The presentations were also a tribute to the King and Queen, whose attendance on the centennial day will give the kātoanga a uniquely powerful cultural prestige.

This means these cultural activities were not ceremonial events in themselves, but they formed essential components of the larger celebration, demonstrating the practices of feveitokai‘aki (respectful conduct shaped by cultural expectations) and fefuafatongia‘aki (mutual cultural obligations).

It also highlights the custom of mu‘aki e ngāue—the publicly announcing of the finest and most important items among all the goods, food, performance and kava presented. This practice reflects the hierarchical structure at the heart of the nofo ‘a kāinga, where the ‘eiki (the king, nobles, or senior or leading kāinga) hold the cultural right to receive the first and best of everything the community produces.

For the QSC centennial, this practice has showcased the meticulous work of students, families, alumni, and church groups who have contributed their finest garments and cultural wear for the celebration.

The events held last week drew significant online attention as videos circulated showing the fakatū‘uta—the ceremonial arrival of food, pigs, kava, and woven goods at the Palace—followed by the coordinated presentation of the faiva, including the mā‘ulu‘ulu that will feature prominently in the centennial programme.

Misplaced bag at Op Shop pickup spot leads to drug seizure and $4510 arrest

By
Kaniva Staff
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Southland, NZ — Two teenagers were arrested after leaving a backpack containing cannabis and thousands of dollars at an op shop’s donation pickup area, where staff had mistakenly taken it inside believing it was a donated item

Police said the volunteer worker noticed the bag left at the shop’s front door — something completely normal for a location where donated goods are regularly dropped off overnight.

But when the worker brought the bag inside, it became immediately clear that this was no ordinary donation.

The bag released a strong, pungent smell, prompting the volunteer to check its contents. Inside were multiple bags of cannabis along with a large bundle of cash.

Realising the seriousness of what they had found, the Southland shop worker immediately alerted Police.

Agitated Teens Return for the “Misplaced” Bag

As the volunteer was on the phone with authorities, two teenagers — a 16‑year‑old male and a 16‑year‑old female — entered the store in a highly agitated state, demanding the return of a bag they claimed to have misplaced.

The pair quickly became aggressive toward staff, but thanks to the calm response of workers and the rapid arrival of local officers, the situation was safely contained.

Police detained the teenagers under the Search and Surveillance Act, and a search of the misplaced bag revealed 43.2 grams of cannabis, digital scales used for weighing drugs, several additional ziplock bags, and $3700 in cash.

The teens told officers they had left the bag outside the shop’s donation point while waiting for their car to be serviced at a nearby workshop. This admission led police directly to the associated vehicle.

Inside the teenagers’ vehicle, officers also discovered an air pistol, a police scanner, and a further $810 in cash, all of which were seized as part of the ongoing investigation.

Both youths were arrested and taken into custody, with police seizing a total of $4510 in suspected proceeds of illegal activity.

Community Vigilance Leads to Major Interception

Police praised the op shop staff for their quick thinking, composure, and immediate alert.

Their actions allowed officers to respond before the situation escalated further and ensured the secure recovery of drugs, cash, a firearm‑style weapon, and surveillance equipment.

For a humble second‑hand store accustomed to sorting donated clothing and household goods, the day ended with what police described as an “excellent result” — all thanks to a misplaced bag that ended up in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Tonga eyes revival as AU$150m rugby investment opens new pathway

By
Kaniva Staff
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Tonga stands to benefit from a major AU$150 million Australian Government investment earmarked for Fiji, Samoa and Tonga over the next five years, a package designed to strengthen rugby development across the Pacific under the Veimoana Partnership.

The deal has already been signed by the Fijian and Tongan governments, but remains stalled in Samoa due to political disagreements within Lakapi Samoa’s leadership.

The funding is designed to strengthen pathways, expand competitions and lift high‑performance programmes throughout the Pacific, with Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade overseeing the initiative, ABC News reported.

It says that both Fiji and Tonga have already signed the agreement, while Samoa has not yet given approval due to a political standoff between Prime Minister Laaulialemalietoa Polataivao Fosi Schmidt and the leadership of Lakapi Samoa’s board.

Tonga Rugby Union leaders told ABC the package would be a financial “godsend,” emphasising that Tonga urgently needs this investment to rebuild structures, improve development systems and strengthen its national programme.

ʻIkale Tahi Under Pressure

Tonga enters this period of potential investment from Australia at a challenging time for its national men’s team, the ʻIkale Tahi, which currently sits 19th in the World Rugby rankings with 66.66 points, placing the side behind Chile (18th) and just ahead of Samoa (20th).

The ranking reflects years of limited high‑performance resources, infrastructure constraints, and ongoing struggles to retain top‑level talent eligible for multiple nations — factors that have collectively contributed to Tonga’s gradual slide down the global table.

As a result, the AU$150 million Pacific rugby funding package represents a rare and crucial opportunity for Tonga Rugby to rebuild development pathways, strengthen player depth, and restore the ʻIkale Tahi to stronger international competitiveness.

Tonga’s rugby history shows that the ʻIkale Tahi were once global contenders, reaching their highest‑ever World Rugby ranking of ninth in both 2011 and 2012, a peak confirmed in official World Rugby records and historical ranking data.

The early 2010s marked a golden period for Tongan rugby, highlighted by their famous 19–14 victory over France at the 2011 Rugby World Cup, but the nation’s proud legacy stretches back further.

One of the most celebrated moments came in 1973, when Tonga stunned the rugby world by defeating the Wallabies 16–11 in Brisbane, a landmark win recorded in the team’s historical match archive and remembered as one of the greatest upsets in Tongan rugby history. These achievements serve as reminders of the heights Tonga has reached before — and the potential that could be reignited through renewed investment and development support

For Tonga, the funding represents a crucial opportunity to address long‑standing performance challenges facing the national side, the ʻIkale Tahi, whose world ranking has slipped in recent years amid limited financial resources, lack of high‑performance infrastructure and a continuing struggle to retain top‑level talent.

Tonga Rugby Union officials have described the Australian funding as a potential “godsend” for rebuilding the national programme and lifting the team back to competitive international standards if released in full.

Paea ‘I Middlemore Tupou among Australians sentenced over Bali villa murder

By
Kaniva Staff
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A Tongan‑Australian man, Paea I Middlemore Tupou, has been sentenced to 16 years’ imprisonment by a Balinese court after being found guilty of carrying out a brutal attack that left a Melbourne father‑of‑six dead inside a luxury villa.

Coskun and Tupou (above) earlier confessed to assassinating Melbourne gangland figure Zivan Radmanovic

Tupou, 27, was sentenced alongside his co‑accused Mevlut Coskun, also jailed for 16 years, while a third man, Darcy Francesco Jenson, received 12 years for organising logistics for the deadly operation.

Court documents and media reports identify Tupou as one of the two gunmen who stormed Villa Casa Santisya in Badung, Bali, in the early hours of June 14, 2025, during what authorities say was a premeditated attack motivated by a dispute involving debt collection.

According to the court findings, the attackers had been hired to intimidate Sanar Ghanim, a man staying at the villa, but ended up killing 32‑year‑old Melbourne father Zivan Radmanovic after allegedly mistaking him for their intended target.

Ghanim survived the attack but was seriously injured.

Tupou was found guilty of premeditated murder and the illegal possession and use of a firearm. He admitted to shooting Radmanovic, claiming he believed he was shooting Ghanim.

Coskun also fired shots during the attack and was convicted on the same charges as Tupou.

Darcy Francesco Jenson – Logistics organiser

Jenson coordinated the group’s travel and planning — arranging accommodation, vehicle rentals and scooters in the months leading up to the attack. He was convicted of assisting premeditated murder and sentenced separately.

Indonesian police alleged that all three men flew to Bali on instructions from an unnamed Australian man to threaten Ghanim over an unpaid debt. Prosecutors said the operation was meticulously planned, with Jenson supplying weapons and organising the group’s movements.

Radmanovic’s wife, Jazmyn Gourdeas, who was celebrating her 30th birthday at the villa, was present during the attack and survived by hiding as gunfire erupted. Her family travelled to Bali for the sentencing and expressed deep disappointment that the men did not receive longer terms.

The Denpasar District Court ruled the men were “legally and convincingly guilty” of premeditated murder — a charge that carries a maximum penalty of death in Indonesia. Prosecutors had sought heavier sentences of up to 18 years.

Radmanovic’s family described the sentences as “a joke,” expressing frustration that the men might one day walk free despite the devastating loss suffered by the victim’s wife and their six children.

No tsunami threat to Niuatoputapu after magnitude 6.0 earthquake

By
Kaniva Staff
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Tonga’s National Tsunami Warning Centre has confirmed there is no tsunami threat to the country following a magnitude 6.0 earthquake recorded on Saturday night.

The Tonga Meteorological Service reported the epicentre was located 17 kilometres east‑southeast of Niua­tou­tapu, at coordinates 15.9° South, 173.5° West.

The earthquake occurred at 10.28pm (08 March 2026) Tonga time, with a depth of 150km

In an advisory issued at 10.40pm, authorities said the quake was not expected to generate a tsunami capable of affecting Tonga.

“Based on the earthquake information above, a resultant tsunami wave is unlikely to affect Tonga,” the statement said.

The agency noted that the magnitude is provisional and may be updated as additional seismic data becomes available.

The National Emergency Operation Centre (NEOC) has not activated in response to the event.

Officials say this will be the final message unless significant changes occur.

Residents seeking further information can contact the Tonga Meteorological Service on (676) 7400026, (676) 35009, or 0800 638. General emergency enquiries can be made to (676) 26340.

The advisory was authorised by duty officers at the Tonga Meteorological Service.

Tongan LDS missionary reportedly injured in suspected machete attack in Papua New Guinea

By
Kalino Latu
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A Tongan missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has reportedly been injured in what appears to have been a machete attack in Papua New Guinea.

Footage circulated on social media, seen by Kaniva News, shows a man in a white shirt, smeared with what appears to be human blood, walking with one hand tightly wrapped in black cloth, apparently indicating the location of his injuries.

Facebook user, Maʻata Monu Halafihi, shared the video and photographs online showing the young man with visible injuries.

She identified him as a relative, Elder Lautaha, who was the victim of the alleged attack.

At this stage, no official details about the incident have been released.

According to Halafihi’s account, Lautaha and his missionary companion managed to escape their attacker and sought refuge at the LDS church, where they were reportedly able to find safety.

Halafihi also posted words of encouragement for the injured missionary, wishing Elder Lautaha and his companion a “speedy recovery.”

The circumstances surrounding the attack, the extent of the injuries, and the safety of other missionaries in the area remain unclear.

Kaniva News sought comment today from both the victim and LDS Church authorities, but was unable to reach them.

This is a developing story, and further updates will be published as more information becomes available.

Father of six jailed for cannabis cultivation as court highlights impact on family

By
Kaniva Staff
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Nukuʻalofa — A 39‑year‑old father of six has been jailed for 18 months after the Supreme Court of Tonga sentenced him for cultivating and possessing cannabis, along with the unlawful possession of drug utensils.

The sentence, delivered by Lord Chief Justice Bishop KC, drew attention not only to the seriousness of the offending but also to the severe consequences for the prisoner’s young family, who now face life without their sole provider.

Mekiloni Fotu Aso, a carpenter and part‑time plumber from Fuaʻamotu, pleaded guilty to three charges after police discovered 63 cannabis plants, 266 grams of packed cannabis, and drug‑smoking utensils during a search of his home on 14 July 2025.

He admitted ownership of the items and cooperated with police. The court found he played the role of a supplier, noting the need for deterrence and strong denunciation in drug‑related cases.

According to the pre‑sentence report, Aso is the sole breadwinner for his family, supporting six children aged between 15 years and six months. The court heard he had no previous criminal convictions and had maintained stable employment within his brother’s construction business.

His sudden imprisonment leaves his children without their primary source of financial support, a factor the judge acknowledged when ordering the return of TOP$390 seized during the police search, noting it belonged to the family and was needed for their welfare.

Despite Aso’s cooperation and early guilty plea, the court determined that the scale of cultivation and the presence of utensils used for consumption and distribution required a custodial response.

He was sentenced to 18 months, with the final six months suspended for two years on strict conditions, including probation supervision, reporting requirements, and mandatory participation in a drug and alcohol awareness programme. All other sentences for related counts were ordered to run concurrently.

Lord Chief Justice Bishop stressed that while this was Aso’s first offence, the seriousness of his actions could not be overlooked. However, he also acknowledged the impact on his children, stating that the return of the seized money was necessary given the family’s dependence on him for survival.

Aso will serve 12 months in custody, followed by six months suspended, during which he must remain offence‑free or risk serving the remaining term in full. His imprisonment, the court noted, stands as both a punishment for his offending and a stark reminder of the collateral damage experienced by families left behind.

Judge spares ‘Best in Tonga’ Fijian worker but warns: ‘This is your last chance’

By
Kaniva Staff
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Nukuʻalofa — The Supreme Court of Tonga has handed Bijay Singh an eight‑month prison sentence, fully suspended for three years, after he pleaded guilty to forgery, knowingly dealing with a forged document, and obtaining money and goods by false pretences totalling TOP$300.

Singh pleaded guilty on 5 November 2025 to four charges stemming from incidents on 17 April 2025, when he used a false cheque from a Sean & Huberto Auto Repair chequebook without authorisation.

The offences included forgery, after he issued a counterfeit cheque intending Palu Trade Vaini Service Station to treat it as genuine.

He then knowingly dealt with a forged document by submitting the same cheque for payment.

He also obtained money and goods by false pretences, receiving TOP$200 from a victim using a fraudulent TOP$300 cheque and securing TOP$100 worth of fuel with that same false cheque.

The Crown sought a custodial outcome, recommending eight months’ imprisonment with two months suspended, citing the seriousness of forgery and comparable cases.

A pre‑sentence report noted Singh’s background (a Fiji national living in Tonga since 2017, in a de‑facto relationship with three young children, employed at HM Imports Tonga) and assessed him as at high risk of re‑offending given prior financial offending and a 2016 deportation. Defence counsel sought a fully suspended sentence with strict conditions to support rehabilitation.

In delivering his decision, the Lord Chief Justice Bishop KC said he initially believed imprisonment was necessary “to remove you from society so that the public are protected.”

However, his position shifted after reading a letter from the defendant’s employer, which described the offender in unexpectedly positive terms.

The employer stated that the accused was “the best in Tonga” at his job, had stopped consuming alcohol, and had agreed to a structured repayment plan for his debts, with deductions taken directly from his wages. The judge said these factors weighed heavily in favour of giving the offender one final opportunity under strict conditions.

Mr Bishop also warned the accused: “This is your last chance… any breach will result in the eight months being activated in full.

Lord CJ Bishop set Count 2 as the head count, imposing a 10‑month starting point, reduced by two months for an early guilty plea (net eight months).

For Counts 1, 3 and 4, the Court imposed 5 months, 3 months, and 3 months, respectively, all concurrent with the head sentence.

While emphasising the need to “stamp out” forgery because it “makes commercial life in the Kingdom more difficult and causes loss to innocent people,” the Court credited Singh’s cooperation, early plea and a strong letter from his employer describing him as “the best in Tonga” at his job, noting alcohol cessation and wage deductions arranged to repay debts. On balance, the Court fully suspended the eight months for three years.

The suspension carries strict conditions:

  1. No offending punishable by imprisonment during the suspension;
  2. Repayment to victims within 12 months;
  3. Placement on probation for the duration of the suspended term.

Any breach will activate the full eight months in custody.

“You have been given every chance… We must remove you from society so that the public are protected,” the judge said, adding he was “very reluctant” but persuaded to suspend the term given the employer’s guarantees and the structured repayments already in place.

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