27 Sep 2002

Trial of Tongan students deferred again

10:42 am on 27 September 2002

224 students from Tupou College in Tonga have had their court appearances on wilful damage charges deferred for a second time, until November the 26th.

The group, which allegedly destroyed equipment at Tonga College were due to make their appearance yesterday.

The case had been initially deferred as police had not finished their preparations, this time the delay is due to the timing of school exams.

The students are said to have broken windows, destroyed computers, musical instruments and a truck during their early morning raid on Tonga College.

The damage was estimated at around a quarter of a million US dollars.