Home Blog Page 545

Supreme Court hands down sentence in what judge describes as “truly abhorrent” rape case

By
Philip Cass
-

A man who abducted and sexually assaulted a three year old girl has been sentenced to 11 years in prison.

Viliami Simoni appeared before Lord Chief Justice Owen Paulsen, who described his crime as “truly  abhorrent.”

In his summing up, Judge Paulsen quoted a judge’s comments from an earlier trial: “You stole her childhood  innocence.   Nothing I now say can sum up  the total disgust which everyone associated with your disgraceful conduct must feel. I can safely say that those same feelings will be shared by all right-thinking members of Tonga Society.”

“The pre-sentence report tells a distressingly common story of a young man from a broken home with little education, few prospects in life and an alcohol problem,” the judge said.

The court heard that Simoni broke into a house on June 17 this year and after stealing a number of items, he took the girl and raped and assaulted her in an empty house.

He then abandoned the girl.

“There is no knowing what could have happened to her had she not  been found,” the judge said.

Lord Chief Justice Paulsen said the child had been deeply traumatized by the event.

She spent almost a week in hospital and complained of pain.

She went from being a carefree child to one who is withdrawn, fearful and angry.

She no longer played with other children and was scared of men she did not know.

Lord Chief Justice Paulsen ruled that the final year of Simoni’s sentence be suspended for three years to help his rehabilitation.

The suspension is dependent on him fulfilling the terms of his probation, which include an order that he not live anywhere near his victim or in any in any accommodation where girls or young women are present.

He must also attend courses on sexual abuse and drug and alcohol abuse.

The main points

  • Aman who abducted and sexually assaulted a three year old girl has beensentenced to 11 years in prison.
  • ViliamiSimoni appeared before Lord Chief Justice Paulsen, who described his crime as “truly  abhorrent.”

Civil servant sentenced for TP$70,000 fraud

By
Philip Cass
-

The Supreme Court has sentenced civil servant Lesieli Halafihi to three years and three months in prison for defrauding the government of more than TP$70,000.

Mr Justice Cato said the offending was a serious breach of codes.

“The sum  involved  by Tongan standards is significant,” he said.

“The starting point for this offending, must reflect the higher maximum penalty Parliament laid down in order  to foster high standards  of ethical behaviour  by government servants so that government  business is not  adversely compromised  by dishonest practices especially by senior civil servants.”

The supreme court was told that Halafihi, as chief cashier for the Ministry of Finance in the Vava’u branch, stole TP$72, 500.42.

Various false entries were made in books of account which an audit revealed. None of this money  has been repaid. 

“At all material times, the prisoner had access to the books of account and the money for which she was responsible.

Mr Justice Cato suspended the final six months of Halafihi’s sentence

“She is a first   offender with two children,” he said.

“I consider that there is more to be gained in her case from a rehabilitative aspect by suspending at least a part of her sentence so she can be united with her children sooner.”

The main points

  • The Supreme court has sentenced civil servant Lesieli Halafihi to three years and three months in prison for defrauding the government of more than TP$70,000.
  • Mr Justice Cato said the offending was a serious breach of codes.

Unregistered car parked by Tongatapu school leads to drug arrest

By
Kalino Latu
-


Police in Nuku’alofa have arrested a man with illicit drugs after an unregistered car parked outside a school compound in Hōfoa was discovered. 

The 22-year-old man from Fāhefa was taken into custody at around 3:00 am yesterday morning Tuesday 11.

While searching the car Police found 10 packs of methamphetamine (3.48 grams), 1 pack of cannabis (0.87 grams), drugs paraphernalia and cash, Police said.

Police were patrolling the area before the discovery.

“The Drugs Taskforce during a targeted patrol came across a car with no registration number plate, which was parked on the roadside in front of the Ocean of Light School at Hofoa,” it said.

 “We continue to focus on disrupting the supply of these destructive drugs that cause harm to our youths, families and our community and bring those responsible to account,” the Commander of the Central Police Station A/CSP Tevita Vailea said.

“We encourage anyone who may have information about drug related offending to contact their nearest Police station, or ring 23417 or 922.”

The suspect was in police custody while investigation continues.

Family given three months delay in deportation order to allow children to finish school year

By
Philip Cass
-

Family given three month delay in deportation order to allow children to finish school year

The New Zealand Immigration and Protection Tribunal has ordered a Tongan family to be deported.

The family of two parents and three children have been given a three months’ grace period before leaving New Zealand.

Two of the children were born in New Zealand.

The family had appealed against a deportation order.

The parents and their eldest child entered New Zealand in April 2008 as visitors.  They held  three-month  visitor visas  which  were renewed  until January 2009.

In November 2008, the husband was declined an Essential Skills work visa to enable him to work as a tile-maker.

In February 2009, the appellants were declined further visitor visas. They became unlawfully resident in New Zealand following the expiry of their final visitor visas on 12 January 2009.

The appellants’ second child was born in New Zealand in June 2009 and their third in June 2009.

In the following years the family lodged several requests for different visas and sought ministerial directions on their case.

A third request for a ministerial direction seeking resident or work visas was declined in July 2016.

In May 2018,the Minister ordered the family be granted one-day visitor visas to enable them to lodge an appeal on humanitarian grounds.

In its report on the decision, the Tribunal said it had considered the appellants’circumstances in Tonga and New Zealand, the effects of Cyclone Gita on family members living in Tonga and their ability to offer support to the family on return home and the best

In considering arguments that the children’s education would suffer if deported to Tonga, the Tribunal said: “Being educated in Tonga need not preclude achieving academically. Family support and role models for educational achievement are important contributors to educational success.”

The Tribunal said there were no exceptional circumstances of a humanitarian nature and that deportation would not be “unjust or unduly harsh.”

The Tribunal ruled that the family’s appeal against an existing deportation order should be declined.

The Tribunal orders that the deportation of the family be delayed  for three months so the children can finish the school year and give them time to plan their return to Tonga.

The main points

  • The New Zealand Immigration and Protection Tribunal has ordered a Tongan family to be deported.
  • The family of two parents and three children have been given a three months’ grace period before leaving New Zealand.
  • The family had appealed against a deportation order.

Gangs smuggle guns into Tonga as kingdom faces a “tsunami” of methamphetamine

By
Philip Cass
-

Drug dealers are smuggling guns as well as methamphetamine into the kingdom, according to a New Zealand television report.

Veteran Pacific journalist Barbara Dreaver reported claims by a gang member that guns were being smuggled in from America and China.

“The Chinese people bring them in from China mixed in with imported goods,” the syndicate member said.

The Salvation Army has described the sale of P in the kingdom as a “tsunami” and a police task force has made 96 drug-related arrests since April.

Tongan police said they were not well resourced or prepared to deal with the level of drug dealing and smuggling.

“When they arrive at the border of Tonga we are not well resourced, we are not well prepared,” Chief Superintendent Vailea said. 

Increasing numbers of criminal deportees from Australia and the US have been blamed for the growing drug trade.

As Kaniva news reported last year, about 30 Tongan nationals are deported from the United States each year.

With an average age of 25, many of the deportees have been engaged in gang activity since childhood and are unfamiliar with their own culture.

Last year a 2016 Transnational Organised Crime Assessment said methamphetamine, criminal deportees and outlaw motorcycle gangs were the three main threats in policing the region.

In April this year Radio Australia reported that the kingdom was facing a rising tide of methamphetamine abuse.

After a large drugs bust, police said that unlike other seizures where the drugs were destined for another country, they believed the methamphetamine was destined for the Tongan market.

Radio Australia’s Pacific Beat quoted the head of Tonga’s psychiatric ward at the country’s main hospital as calling methamphetamine “a growing disaster.”

According to Dreaver’s report on One News, the disaster is growing outside schools in Nuku’alofa.

She reported claims that people in power at all levels were involved in the drugs trade.

She reporteda drug syndicate member saying: “There are people in government that brings the thing over and I just distribute to the village.”

“Our stuff comes in containers. The people there operating, they know and they let it out,” a syndicate member said.

Dr Mapa Puloka,who works with addicts, claimed that church ministers were also involved in the trade.

“In some church, ministers are involved too. In the dealing, trafficking,” Dr Puloka said.

Tonga has for several years been a focus of concern among agencies fighting transnational crime in the Pacific.

According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, several Tongans were prosecuted over the seizure of 250 kg of pseudoephedrine and 16 kilograms of ephedrine in New Zealand in 2013.

The Tongan government has also expressed concern about the importation of weapons for several years. 

Tonga qualify for World Rugby U20 Trophy

By
Kaniva Staff
-

WORLD RUGGBY – Tonga have qualified for the World Rugby U20 Trophy 2019 after confirming their place with a 27-20 defeat of Samoa in Apia on Saturday to win the Oceania Rugby U20 Trophy title.

Tonga last played in the World Rugby U20 Trophy in 2015, a year after recording their best result as runners-up to Canada, and join host nation Brazil and Japan, the side relegated from the World Rugby U20 Championship 2018, as the three confirmed teams.

The remaining five players will come from regional qualifying tournaments with Asia next to confirm their representative later this month.

Tonga had beaten their hosts Samoa 16-12 in an equally tight match on Tuesday and came out on top in another physical encounter at the Marist St Joseph Park in Apia.

Lisiate Folau scored two of Tonga’s three tries in the win with Hateni Tafolo converting them all and adding a penalty and drop goal in the victory.

“I am so proud of the boys’ performance andI also want to thank the Samoan team for giving us a good game,” Tonga captain Pita Halaifonu said.

His Samoan counterpart Simon Peter Toleafoa added: “There were errors and just little things went against us. We did try and work on things from the first game but I guess it was not a complete performance. The Tongans were content and we didn’t apply the pressure. They were playing on the right ends.”

Aurora Childcare unites different cultures during South Auckland Christmas party

By
Kalino Latu
-
  • Aurora  Childcare Services Director Hulita Heitonga (R) with some of the school children. Kaufo’ou Puloka (L). Photo/Kaniva Tonga (Kalino Lātū)

The Tongan-owned Aurora Home based Childcare Services in Otara, South Auckland celebrated Christmas last week with multi-cultural entertaining activities.

The celebration at the Wiri Community Hall attracted parents and most of the 90 young children enrolled at the Services.

The celebration was carried out to acknowledge and respect the different cultures at the school.

Educator Kaufo’ou Puloka said the Childcare services valued the importance of the children’s identity and for them to be “proud of who we are.”

Opened in 2016, most of the children were Tongans with a number of children with Maori and other ethnic backgrounds.

Parents and children of Aurora Childcare Services. Photo/Kalino Lātū

“The philosophy of Aurora Home based Childcare Services emphasises the importance of nurturing children’s individual strengths through a journey of guided discoveries, social interactions and co-operative learnings,” director Siale Heitonga told Kaniva News.

“Values of excellence, kindness, action and trust are promoted.

“Children’s own cultures are valued and celebrated.”

Aurora Childcare Services Director Siale Heitonga (R) with Educator Vilina Tongamana. Photo/Kaniva Tonga (Kalino Lātū)

Siale and his wife Hulita Kaati Tangitau Heitonga are directors and co-ordinators of the school.

“Co-ordinators work together with educators to support the wellbeing of many children with diverse and complex needs. Inclusive, trusting relationships underpin the organisation’s approach to children’s learning,” Siale said.

The main points

  • The Tongan-owned Aurora Homebased Childcare Services in Otara, South Auckland celebrated Christmas last week with multi-cultural entertaining activities.
  • The celebration at the Wiri Community Hall attracted parents and most of the 90 young children enrolled at the Services.

Princess Angelika guest of honour at Tevita Pangai’s brother’s wedding

By
Kalino Latu
-

Princess Angelika Tuku’aho was guest of honour at the wedding of ‘Uluaki Taha Kilu and Christina Tupou Pangai in Australia.

‘Uluaki is a young brother of  Mate Ma’a Tonga rugby league star Tevita Pangai Jnr.

The Princess attended the wedding service ceremony as well as the couple’s first Sunday celebration, a spokesperson said.

The celebration early this month at the Free Church of Tonga in Canterbury, New South Wales brought together the newly married couple’s family members from overseas, including Tonga.

Pangai Jnr made his international debut in Tonga’s shock 28-22 win over New Zealand at the 2017 Rugby League World Cup.

Last month he chose to play for New South Wales in 2019.

The 22-year-old was named in Blues’ coach Brad Fittler’s 32-man State of Origin training squad that will be held in Sydney this month.

The Brisbane Broncos prop is eligible to play for both New South Wales and Tonga because the Kingdom is still classified as a second-tier nation.

But he will be unable to play in Mate Ma’a Tonga’s scheduled rematch against the Kiwis next June because it clashes with Game Two of next year’s State of Origin series.

The main points

  • Princess Angelika Tuku’aho was guest of honour at the wedding of Uluaki Taha Kilu and Christina Tupou Pangai in Australia.
  • ‘Uluaki is a young brother of  Mate Ma’a Tonga rugby league star Tevita Pangai Jnr.

Grace Millane’s body discovered in West Auckland

By
Kaniva Staff
-

The body of missing British backpacker Grace Millane has been found by police in the Waitakere Ranges today. 

Police made the discovery following a scene examination of a bush area on Scenic Dr, in Auckland’s Waitakere Ranges, on Sunday afternoon.

Formal identification had not yet taken place but police said they believed the body was Millane’s and the search for her had come to an end.

On Saturday evening, police announced they would charge a 26-year-old man with her murder.

Miss Millane, 22, from Essex – described by her father as “lovely” and”family-orientated” – was last seen in New Zealand a week ago.

Detective Inspector Scott Beard of Auckland City Police said police had gathered evidence on Saturday that had “established this is a homicide”.

He said Millane’s family had been told and they were “devastated”.

“We know that he [the 26-year-old man] was with her on the Saturday evening and went to a number of places before going to the City Life Hotel.” 

 He will remain in police custody until Monday morning when he will appear in the Auckland District Court.

A full scene examination is underway in a bush area on Scenic Drive.

Police said this was a methodical and slow process and is expected to take all day.

Police continue to search the CityLife apartment where Millane was last seen at 9.41pm on December 1, and are sifting through hundreds of hours of CCTV footage.

They are also examining a “vehicle of interest”, which was seized on Saturday, and are trying to find out where it had recently travelled.

Beard said he had no evidence to suggest Millane knew the man before Saturday night but detectives knew they were together from the time she was captured on CCTV footage at SkyCity to the time she was seen at the CityLife Hotel.

Asked if the pair met on dating app Tinder, Beard said he would not speculate.

The police priority would be tracking the vehicle’s movements with GPS or using cellphone towers – which was possible even if the mobile phones of those in it were switched off, he revealed.

Police said they were determined to return Millane to her family, who had earlier spread word across the world of the talented artist and university graduate’s disappearance when her daily social media contact stopped the night before her 22nd birthday last Sunday.

Millane’s father David, a millionaire property developer, then flew to New Zealand early on Friday.

The much-loved daughter and sister arrived in New Zealand on November 20, as part of a year-long, worldwide overseas experience that began earlier this year in South America, he told journalists.

A full road closure of Scenic Drive, between the intersection of Mountain Road/Scenic Drive and the Waitakere Reservoir Carpark, will be in place from 3pm until 7pm tonight.

Residents will be given access during this time.

Mt Roskill stabbing victim identified by police

By
Kaniva Staff
-

A 21-year-old man who died after being stabbed has been named.

Rima Fernando Sikei died at the scene at William Blofield Avenue, Mt Roskill shortly after 11pm on Friday night, Auckland Police said.

Sikei was found with critical injuries and ambulance staff were unable to revive him.

A second person found seriously injured at the scene was in a stable condition at Auckland City Hospital on Saturday afternoon. 

One woman told Stuff she heard fighting in the street before a car arrived and two women tried to get two men inside the vehicle.

She said she heard the men mention weapons and talk of a clean fight before more fighting. 

She called police and ran outside to see one man on the ground being attacked by another. She said she saw a metal object. 

The party was in a residential street, in a state housing subdivision between Wesley Intermediate School and the south-western motorway.

A tribute to Sikei in Tongan was shared on Facebook.

“’Ofa atu to my C.A brother,” the tribute said.

Police continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding Sikei’s death. 

Detective Senior Sergeant Glenn Baldwin urged anyone with information about the incident to call (09) 3026 557 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

1...544545546...955Page 545 of 955