Church leader who indecently assaulted young girls named as Siaosateki Tonga Faletau

Interim name suppression for Faletau lapsed today at 5pm.

Faletau admitting abusing 7 young girls between 2001 and 2020. He was a member of high standing in the Tongan community, being a pastor and the owner of a successful mechanic business.

He was sentenced in September to 2 years and 3 months imprisonment. The sentencing judge declined his application for permanent name suppression. Faletau appealed sentence and the decision to decline name suppression. Both appeals were dismissed today in the Auckland High Court. Faletau’s lawyer indicated his client would be filing an appeal of the sentence in the Court of Appeal.

Image credit: Ekaterina Bolovtsova

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