Archive for September 23rd, 2009

Teenager on trial over gun

Teenager on trial over gun

| 23/09/2009 | 0 Comments

(CNS): The Grand Court trial of nineteen year old Jason Hatch began this morning when the prosecution told the jury that Hatch was charged with possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition as a result of the discovery of 9 millimetre semi-automatic weapon with a magazine of live rounds and one round of ammunition from another type of gun in his bedroom at a George Town address. Hatch, who was only 17 at the time, had been arrested earlier that morning before the gun was found as a result of an investigation into counterfeit currency by the Financial Crimes Unit.

Acting for the prosecution, Trisha Hutchison told the court that the defendant was charged with two counts which related to the discovery by police of the nine millimetre gun and ammunition which was found under a dresser in the bedroom of his rented apartment and a bullet for another type of weapon that was found under his mattress.

The jury of six women and one man heard that Hatch had gone with police from George Town Police Station to his place of residence at around 6:50am on 6 October 2007. Police had acquired a warrant to search Hatch’s apartment following his arrest earlier that morning.

Police witnesses told the court, presided over by Chief Justice Anthony Smellie, how they had arrived at the apartment and found two other men present — Gordon Ebanks and Samuel Bodden. Both those men had reportedly said that they did not live at the address but had been staying there overnight. Sgt Montague told the court that Ebanks had insisted on leaving as he said he had to meet someone and was going fishing but Bodden was asked to remain while police conducted a search of the apartment.

During the search of the bedroom police said that as they approached the dresser Hatch had tried to distract the officers by indicating an attic inside a cupboard just outside the bedroom that they might want to search. However, officers continued with their search of the bedroom and, having found one round of ammunition under the mattress, they moved on to the dresser, which was where they then found a black box underneath the set of drawers. Officer Sgt Groves was said to have then opened the box in front of the defendant and after removing a layer of black plastic he discovered the hand gun.

Both Hatch and Bodden were then arrested and taken back to the central police station police witnesses told the court.

Cross examining Sgt Montague, defence attorney for the teenage Hatch, Ben Tonner, asked how long the defendant had been in police custody before going to his apartment. Montague said that he came on duty at 2:00am and Hatch had already been in custody for sometime before that. Tonner then clarified that this meant Hatch had not been at the apartment to supervise the other two men who were there, and Montague agreed. He also acknowledged that although Bodden was arrested he had not been charged, and Ebanks, who had gone as the police arrived, had not been charged in connection with the offence either. Tonner also asked the officer if he knew that Hatch was only 17 at the time, and Montague said he did not.

The trial, which is taking place in court five, was adjourned on Wednesday afternoon and will resume on Thursday.

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Senior UK cops recruited to work on intelligence

Senior UK cops recruited to work on intelligence

| 23/09/2009 | 11 Comments

(CNS): Eighteen months after Deputy Commissioner Rudolph Dixon was suspended from his post, the RCIPS announced on Wednesday that they have recruited a detective chief superintendent from Merseyside Police to act in a temporary deputy commissioner role. The RCIPS described Steve Brougham as an intelligence expert who will oversee recommendations made by previous acting commissioner, James Smith. Brougham will be joined by Peter Mcloughlin, who has been appointed as an investigative training specialist. Both of the new senior cops will arrive from the UK at the end of the month.

Brougham is currently Head of the Information and Security Bureau at the Merseyside service and, according to the RCIPS, comes with “a wealth of skills in the field of intelligence gathering and handling". Police said he would be tasked with overseeing the implementation of a number of measures designed to improve the way the RCIPS processes crime data, information and intelligence as a result of problems allegedly revealed during Operation Cealt .

Commissioner of Police David Baines said, “I am grateful to Acting Commissioner James Smith who instigated a review of our intelligence handling systems. The subsequent report from that review contains a number of recommendations and Mr Brougham will oversee their implementation.”

Peter Mcloughlin, the new investigative training specialist, will be tasked with enhancing the investigative capabilities of the service. Police said that among other things Mcloughlin would be training officers in witness interviews, suspect interviews, exhibit management and covert policing tactics.

Mcloughlin is a retired UK detective inspector who is currently providing specialist training packages to UK police services. Immediately prior to his retirement, he was the National Police/Prison Intelligence Liaison Officer, which linked intelligence networks between the two bodies.

“Mr Mcloughlin has skills in many areas and will help some of the strategic competency gaps that have been identified in the service,” Baines added. “He has extensive investigative skills which can be used to assist with cold case reviews.”

Baines said RCIPS police officers work exceptionally hard and should be commended for their efforts. “These two appointments are designed to support current policing functions, enhance capability and improve the service offered to the community,” he said.

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Police recover stolen construction equipment

Police recover stolen construction equipment

| 23/09/2009 | 2 Comments

(CNS): The RCIPS say that an operation carried out by Bodden Town Criminal Investigation Department had resulted in the recovery in several items of construction equipment has been recovered and they are now looking for the owners. The items are: an Hitachi drill & bit, an Hitachi circular saw, an Hitachi disc grinder, a Bostitch air compressor (yellow & black), a Bostitch nail gun, and a Makita sander. Anyone who is missing these items is encouraged to contact Bodden Town Police Station at 9472220 for identification.

Anyone with information about crime taking place in the Cayman Islands should contact their local police station or Crime Stoppers on 800-8477 (TIPS). All persons calling Crime Stoppers remain anonymous, and are eligible for a reward of up to $1000, should their information lead to an arrest or recovery of property/drugs.
 

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Armed Robbery at Quik Cash

Armed Robbery at Quik Cash

| 23/09/2009 | 86 Comments

(CNS): UPDATE 1:38pm — A staff member of the Quik Cash office on Shedden Road called 911 at around 10:20 this morning (23 September) to report that an armed robbery had taken place. Police say that the offenders both had firearms and are both described as late teens to early twenties in age, approximately 6 foot tall and slim. One, who was wearing dark clothes and had dark skin, was wearing a full mask, and the other, who was wearing a white t-shirt and jeans and his described as having light brown skin, had a rag across his face, police say. (Left Delroy Howell owner of QuikCash– Photo courtesy of News27)

There was one customer in the store at the time, who was told by the robbers to lie on the ground, and the offenders made off on foot with an unspecified amount of cash.

Police say that, with this area of Shedden Road being heavily populated, it is very possible that patrons, shoppers and employees of neighbouring stores may have seen something of importance. If so, please contact the Criminal Investigation Department at 9494222 or 800-TIPS. No matter how trivial the information may appear it could very easily aid in the capture

of these criminals. Anyone with information about crime taking place in the Cayman Islands should contact their local police station or Crime Stoppers on 800-8477 (TIPS). All persons calling Crime Stoppers remain anonymous, and are eligible for a reward of up to $1000, should their information lead to an arrest or recovery of property/drugs.

 

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No flu outbreak at Lighthouse School

No flu outbreak at Lighthouse School

| 23/09/2009 | 1 Comment

(CNS): Public health officials say they have determined that there is no flu outbreak at the Lighthouse School. Following investigations after seven staff members called in sick yesterday (Tuesday, 22 September), it was determined that only two of them had upper respiratory illnesses with fever. “Based on our individual consultations with sick staff members, we can confirm that there is no flu outbreak amongst the school’s staff,” Medical Officer of Health Dr Kiran Kumar said in a release.“Of those assessed, only two had upper respiratory illnesses with fever,” Dr Kumar explained. 

One has already recovered and one was treated and remains on sick leave, he said and reminded the public that the following symptoms are flu hallmarks: Fever (above 100 degrees Fahrenheit) with a cough or sore throat.

Although there is no outbreak, Dr Kumar further cautioned that the flu virus is around and parents should continue to take precautions, especially those who have children who fall into high risk groups. “If your child develops flu-like symptoms, please call the Health Services’ flu hotline for advice,” he said.

Education Chief Officer Mary Rodrigues said she was relieved to hear that the seriousness of the situation has diminished considerably: “Of course the flu season is far from over, and I thank Public Health and the Ministry of Health for their quick and effective response.”

For more information on H1N1 visit www.CaymanPrepared.ky or www.hsa.ky. The Health Services Authority also offers the public direct responses to their flu queries through its flu email and message system – flu@hsa.ky. This complements the 24-hour flu hotline (926-2812) manned by HSA staff.
 

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CAL offers cheap flights to JA

CAL offers cheap flights to JA

| 23/09/2009 | 0 Comments

(CNS): Cayman Airways is offering a roundtrip ticket to Jamaica from Grand Cayman for just CI$159.60 until 5 October. The national airline is also offering customers three free checked bags on select jet flights until the end of October. A release from CAL said the special fare to Jamaica is good for travel through 30 November, 2009, with originating travel permitted from both Jamaica and Grand Cayman. Taxes and fees are not included, and seats at these rates are limited.

Booking restrictions and blackout dates apply. Regular baggage restrictions apply but passengers can take advantage of the current “Three Free Bags” promotion on Cayman Airways through October 31st, 2009!

In addition to the usual two free checked bags, customers travelling between Jamaica, Florida and the Cayman Islands are now able to check in a third piece of luggage free of excess baggage charges. Normal size and weight limits still apply. The free excess baggage will be carried on a space-available basis. Any delayed excess bags will be delivered on the next available Cayman Airways flight. This offer is not available on flights operated by Cayman Airways Express or on other carriers.

For complete baggage acceptance policies visit www.caymanairways.com or call 949-2311.
 

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Burglary victims attacked

Burglary victims attacked

| 23/09/2009 | 30 Comments

(CNS): Last night, three masked men carrying handguns and dressed in dark clothing forced themselves into a house on Austin Conolly Drive, East End, and assaulted two male residents by hitting them over the head with a firearm. One of the victims called 911 at approximately 9:50pm and the men, both aged 40, were transported to hospital, where they received treatment for their head injuries. Police who arrived at the scene established that the three offenders had entered the house after knocking on the front door and then attacked the two residents.

One of the victims apparently lost consciousness for “a moment”, police said. After taking an undisclosed amount of cash the men made their escape via a rear door.

Officers from the Criminal Investigation Department are investigating this incident and are appealing for anyone who may have been in the area of Austin Conolly Drive, East End, at around 10:00pm last evening, who may have seen anything to please come forward.

Anyone who can help should contact Detective Constable Ian McDonald on 947-2220. People can also call Crime Stoppers on 800-8477 (TIPS). All persons calling Crime Stoppers remain anonymous, and are eligible for a reward of up to $1000, should their information lead to an arrest or recovery of property/drugs.
 

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BBC catches out banker

BBC catches out banker

| 23/09/2009 | 0 Comments

(Timesonline): Lloyds Banking Group, the bank that is 42 per cent owned by the taxpayer, is being investigated overallegations of tax evasion after one of its employees was caught on camera apparently encouraging a customer to avoid tax by channelling money through Hong Kong. The employee at a Jersey branch of the bank was filmed by BBC TV’s Panorama telling an undercover reporter that interest earned on his deposits would be paid via Hong Kong to "get round" the European Savings Tax Directive, which would tax income paid direct from Jersey.

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Cayman Islands slips again in competitive rankings

Cayman Islands slips again in competitive rankings

| 23/09/2009 | 8 Comments

(CNS): According to the sixth edition of the Global Financial Centres Index (GFCI), the Cayman Islands has slipped slightly in the rankings placing it in 26th place among a list of 75 places assessed in the report. Although Cayman has not had its rating reduced, the growth of Asian centres pushed the island down in the half yearly report which measures centres based on competitiveness. The report noted that offshore centres had come under considerable scrutiny during the financial crisis, and while some scores had increased, it was not by much and rankings of the offshore locations have generally declined.

The GFCI was first produced by the think tank Z/Yen Group for the City of London in March 2007 to rate and rank each major financial centre in the world to compare levels of competition in a number of areas. The index is calculated by a ‘factor assessment model’, which combines instrumental factors with assessments of financial centres from responses to an online questionnaire.

The latest report shows London and New York still ahead, but Asian centres have made what the authors described as a surprise surge to take five of the top 10 rankings. Hong Kong and Singapore both saw their ratings increase and have closed on London and New York. Other fast-growing Asian centres, included Shanghai, Beijing and Shenzhen also posted large rises.

A spokesperson for the City of London Corporation, which commissioned the research, said the results demonstrated three trends.

“Cautious optimism that the global financial services industry is showing signs of recovery, further movement of the financial business centre of gravity towards fast-developing markets, especially in Asia, and the emergence of a ‘Premier League’ of economically and socially interconnected cities,” he stated in a release. "This data was compiled in an exceptional period of volatility in global markets, which explains the wide range of readings.  Of course, we recognise that Asian centres are growing strongly but the speed and size of the surge is a surprise and we are commissioning further research to find out the detailed reasons for this.”

Considered by some as biased because it is commissioned by the City of London and the UK capital has persistently remained at the top of the rankings since the index’s inception, others believe the survey offers an effective tool of comparison as the information used to create the list comes from those working in the sector as well as facts such as office rents, regulations, tax rates, human resources and other key issues.

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School project still in limbo

School project still in limbo

| 23/09/2009 | 5 Comments

(CNS): Although negotiations with general contract Tom Jones International (TJI) reportedly continued on Tuesday regarding the failure by government to meet this month’s bill for the construction of the new John Gray High School, no resolution has yet been reached, CNS has learned. One person close to the subcontractors involved described the situation as a “decision free environment” and lamented the lack of progress. Other sources described the situation as both amicable and hopeful. It is understood, however, that the outstanding sum which government has said it cannot pay is less than $2 million. (Photo courtesy of News 27)

(CNS): Although negotiations with general contract Tom Jones International (TJI) reportedly continued on Tuesday regarding the failure by government to meet this month’s bill for the construction of the new John Gray High School, no resolution has yet been reached, CNS has learned. One person close to the subcontractors involved described the situation as a “decision free environment” and lamented the lack of progress. Other sources described the situation as both amicable and hopeful. It is understood, however, that the outstanding sum which government has said it cannot pay is less than $2 million. (Photo courtesy of News 27)

Although neither the education ministry nor Hunter Jones of TJI could be contacted throughout Tuesday despite numerous attempts, CNS was able to speak with a number of other people close to the school projects, who noted that unless a decision  was made soon work would grind to a halt on the site by the end of this week, with significant repercussions.

Others had more optimistic reports, stating that there was every indication the problem would be resolved before workers had to be laid off and construction halted.

The fundamental problem is that government appears to have been engaging in what one source described as “robbing Peter to pay Paul”, and although McAlpine Ltd, the general contractor on the new government administration building was paid and TJI was also paid for last month’s work at the Clifton hunter site in Frank Sound, the approximate $2 million payment for the contractor’s bill at the John Gray site was not met for last month. With September’s bill now looming as well, the contractor has said he cannot continue to work without payment as he in turn cannot meet his obligation and will stop the project unless government meets its obligation.

One local contractor involved in the project has explained that the momentum of a major construction project such as this is very difficult to stop and stalling work even for just a few days can take weeks to restart.  The non-payment has a rapid effect too, he stated, as contractors don’t pay sub-contractors who can’t pay workers and suppliers, which in turn can impact the credit rating of all those along the chain, including the major sub-contractors.

Moreover, if the general contractor cannot meet his payments hundreds of workers employed by a number of other sub-contractors will be laid off, which will then have a further detrimental impact on Cayman’s domestic economy. With no work, labourers will not be able to spend, which will in turn negatively affect retailers and service providers.

However, CNS understands that government could pay the contractor by accessing the reserve funds, which according to statistics given by Financial Secretary Kenneth Jefferson on 28 August, stood at $76.1 million. Accessing the reserves does not require permission from the UK but merely approval by the Legislative Assembly.

While the present government has severely criticised the previous administration for what it has described as financial mismanagement, Leader of the Opposition Kurt Tibbetts said on 8 September that during the PPM’s term the country’s reserves were built to the highest level ever. “Even the present government has had to concede that reserves stood at more than $90M at 30 June,” he said, noting that these were more than sufficient to cover the operational deficit for the 2008/09 fiscal year.

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