Minister banned from driving

| 26/03/2013

rolston good.jpg(CNS): Fullstory — The education minister and Cayman's deputy premier was banned from driving for 12 months, fined CI$500 and ordered to pay the crown's costs of CI$2,473 by a magistrate. The sentence handed down Tuesday related to Rolston Anglin's conviction for drunk-driving following a single vehicle accident on the West Bay Road in the early hours of the morning of 23 May last year. Speaking on behalf of the minister, local attorney Steve McField told the court that his client was extremely remorseful and had undertaken a driver's rehabilitation course. He pointed to his important role in government and said the circumstances Anglin found himself in after making a foolish mistake were “tragic” as his client had always been honest and had strived all his life for perfection.

Anglin was given 30 days to pay his fine and costs, which amounted to less than $3000, and asked to submit his driving license to the court.

Magistrate Kirsty-Ann Gunn said that the defendant had recorded an alcohol level at the lower end of the reading and had completed a driver’s rehabilitation programme at his own cost. With a previous clean driving record, for which he was given credit, the magistrate handed down the minimum driving ban for the offence and the $500 fine, which fell below the maximum penalty of $1000. As Anglin did not plead guilty until after the trial had begun and caused the crown to seek an expert witnesses and incur costs, the magistrate found it was not unreasonable to order the defendant to pay those costs.  

Speaking outside of the courtroom after the sentence was handed down, Anglin said he had taken account for his own actions with his guilty plea.

“I want to apologise to the people of West Bay and to my family for putting myself in this situation. It is a learning experience and I complied with the court and went to a driver’s course and the magistrate handed down the minimum sentence over the loss of my license and I have lots of friends and my wife so I won’t be short of a ride,” the minister stated.

Anglin said he had taken a reality check, despite believing he had a good case, in the face of the charges and had decided that this was “one of those battles that was not worth fighting” as he understood the gravity of putting himself, as a public figure, in this situation.

“I want to say to people, don’t take the chance. Too many times we feel fine and believe you can make it home, even with a reading of 110 and when you are tired. If you throw those factors together, you see what can happen,” he said, as he encouraged people not to drink and drive.

The minister said he did not think the conviction would impact his bid for re-election as it would not be the main reason why people chose to vote for him or not. He said people would judge him but he had given the best years of his life to public service and he felt that it was his work that would be judged.

“I believe the people of West Bay will decide based on my body of work over the last twelve years and in particular the last four as minister of education,” he added.

Anglin said he would not be abstaining from alcohol completely, as he described himself as a social drinker who enjoyed a drink when watching football. He said he would not be a hypocrite about that and pretend he would never have another drink.

Acknowledging calls for lowering the legal limit when it came to drinking and driving, he said that the next administration may want to look at that. He said it was unrealistic to think that people in the community would stop drinking but the key was not to drink and drive.

“In my case this is going to be well publicised and shows anyone can get themselves in this situation,” he said. “If you are going to drink, don’t drive.”

Until at least 23 May Anglin, as deputy premier, will have the services of a government-provided driver, something that his attorney, Steve mcField, thought Anglin, as a minister, should have had in the first place. During his appeal for the court to be lenient on the minister, McField said that in all other jurisdictions in the region he would have had the services of a driver when he was required to attend functions in his official capacity where alcohol is served.

During his speech to the court on behalf of Anglin, McField emphasised his client’s high office but said the court had to treat him like any other first time offender. He said Anglin had publicly admitted he was foolish to get behind the wheel when he had consumed alcohol, having had nothing to eat and after taking medication and energy drinks because he was unwell, but had been asked to attend the function.

“He is a decent professional person who made a bad mistake in judgment,” McField said, adding that his client “was profoundly remorseful”.

McField said Anglin had succumbed to the power of strong drink but he had sought “redemption” by admitting his guilt, albeit late in the day and part way through the trial,which was triggered by Anglin's initial not guilty plea.

The minister’s attorney argued that, while his client accepted responsibility for the costs of the court's expert witness, he should not be liable for his airfare, which was more than US$500, that the crown was claiming since the expert never came and the flight was cancelled. However, the crown contested that, despite the cancelation, it was so late in the day the public purse was unable to recoup the flight cost and the magistrate included the air ticket in her order for costs.

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  1. Anonymous says:

    Hear ye, hear ye. There’s a new name for the Hon. Education Minister. Hon. Caan Drive Rolston Anglin.

  2. Anonymous says:

    What an ego to carry on despite all this bad behaviour. Step aside, redeem yourself by selfless acts and come back in 8 years or so, maybe. And stop drinking completely. No-one has to drink. You got a problem with that? Then you got a problem.

    • Anonymous says:

      This man drinks and drives Nd still thinks he “had a good case.” what do u do with a case like this?
      Should have had the book thrown at him. Such remorse.

  3. Anonymous says:

    On the taking of Drivers Licence point: under the Bail Law, either the Police. (before the offender is brought before the Court) or the court, once he is charged and the matter first mentioned, can, as a condition of bail, in order to prevent the reoccurrence of an offence whilst on Bail, prohibit the offender from driving until the matter is tried. The Court can only disqualify a person from driving and suspend their licence after conviction, but that is a different matter which is dealt with under the Traffic Law. This has been done a number of times before when the evidence is strong and the likelihood of reoffending is high.That’s the position at law. In any event, he had pleaded guilty to the offence a while ago, and this offence carries an obligatory disqualification from driving, so at the very least, the suspension should have started from then.

  4. Anonymous says:

    If you can’t be a good example, then at least try and be a horrible warning.

  5. Anonymous says:

    Disgraceful. He shouldn't be in office.  Only in Cayman!!!

  6. Anonymous says:

    Why on earth does 90 percent of the entire world seem so very intent on continuing to condemn this man to hell? To err is human, folks to forgive is divine. For heaven's sake. The man made a mistake that any human on the face of this earth is capable of making. And that any human on the face of this earth would like to be forgiven for by the rest of humanity. You do not have to encounter a drunk Government Minister for Education on the road to lose your life to alcohol folks. Youcan lose your life on the road quite easily by praying and sincerely asking almighty God to help you lose your life to ANY of many thousands of drunk drivers on the road if that is what you really wish to experience. You can also pray to the very same God to keep you and your loved ones safe from the many thousands of drunk people on the road if that is what you wish to experience in your life. He will hear you either way. Guaranteed. This man has paid for his mistake people. Be thankful to God Almighty that no one lost their life because of his mistake and leave him alone to get on with his life and get on with your own lives with God Almighty forever by your side protecting you and your loved ones from thousands of drunk drivers on the road. 

    • Anonymous says:

      I think it is the lies and continuous lying that people are upset about.  How does this look to the children of cayman when the minister of education lies about drinking and person that was in the car. Every country has lying politicians but it seems almost a requirement here.  Enough is enough…we need to get rid of all the old brotherhood of the cayman political arena.

      • Anonymous says:

        I wrote the incredibly unfavourable post above, but I gave you a thumbs up because I have to agree we have all most certainly had enough lies from the old brotherhood of the cayman political arena. Still Jesus forgave Judas. And still we have most certainly suffered far more greatly from far more deadly lies from the old brotherhood of the cayman political arena.

    • Anonymous says:

      He is a so called leader of the community.

       

      We must hold him to a higher standard of conduct than the average joe.

    • Anonymous says:

      I am sick and tired of all this god and praying BS.

       

  7. Anonymous says:

    Steve should write court scenes for South Park.

  8. Anonymous says:

    "…his client had always been honest…"

     

    Now that is a lie.

  9. Anonymous says:

    This person is not fit for political office.  

    • Anonymous says:

      This person is a danger to other road users. He should be off the road for good. Poor example to young people to follow. 

      • Anonymous says:

        Wasn't Kenneth Bryan also convicted of a crime(s)? and he's running for office so what's with the double standard?

        If you are okay with one, then you should be fine with all or just fix the laws to bar them all.

        • Anonymous says:

          Kenneth Bryan has readily admits the error of his ways. He was not the Minister of education  when he messed up. Kenneth is a perfect example that people can reform themselves. Why are we so quick to condem those that have reformed themselves, but yet we are so quick to defend those that lie to make themselves look "good"?.

          • Anonymous says:

            Correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't Kenneth's crimes drug related?  Based on the laws of the land and the courts (local and international), which is more serious and has greater impact on society – drug crimes or DUIs?

            • Rorschach says:

              which is more serious and has greater impact on society – drug crimes or DUIs?

               The answer to THAT depends on who you ask…

  10. 4 Cayman says:

    What happenedto purgery? He lied initially about getting dog food at 3 am in the morning. What happened to obstruction of justice? The mystery woman who disappeared.

    Where’s barefoot man and Andy Martin. Man you need to make some songs cause that’s the only hope we got left for this country.

  11. Seriously Exasperated says:

    It's a joke / It's the Cayman Islands / It's a joke / it's the……… For goodness sake, will you people stop complaining about stuff and actually start doing something? Get out on the streets, the "new towns" even, and start demonstrating! What is wrong with you people? You are the most apathetic bunch………. I don't know. Are you ever going to stand up and be counted? Probably not. Go on, you're upset, hit the "thumbs down" button if you feel "offended". Or that  "troll"  button, whatever it means to a person under the age of 12. (I'll just join you in the bunker alongside my Caymanian wife in one big complaining session, yet again.) Hit the other button if you are sick and tired of all the rubbish, for pity's sake!

  12. Anonymous says:

    Striving for perfection? Remember to turn into the skid with sudden oversteer. 

  13. Anonymous says:

    Will the funds for his driver come from the public purse should he be reelected?  Does anyone know?  I do not know the rules on this one, but I think it would be very wrong for me to pay for his driver. 

  14. Anonymous says:

    UDP should change their names to: the chain gang!

    Caymanian

  15. Anonymous says:

    He made a mistake, even a few mistake after the fact, which one of you on this chat has not made a mistake. He was a Man today and took his punishment. lets move on the counrty has bigger problems than Rollie's DUI.

    • Anon says:

      Yeah you’re right. I think the real problem is that there are too many corrupt, convicted or charged politicians in the LA. But I guess everyone makes a mistake so no biggie.

    • Anonymous says:

      Yes, he made a mistake but he is a public figure.  The minister of education.  He is SUPPOSED to be a role model to our kids. What kind of role model do you think he is.  So far, it appears he has lied to the police, been caught drunk driving and been caught with a woman who was not his wife in his car – not a crime – but the fact that she mysteriously disappeared and it seems the police assisted in hiding her identity.  Is this the example you want set by public fgures for your kids?  Well its not what I want for mine.  Public figures are supposed to have squeaky clean reputations, not be members of the local hood. Stop sticking up for criminal behaviour.  How many people do you know who have been affected by drunk driving. Either having lost a loved one, or have a loved one in jail for killing or maiming someone for driving whilst drunk? Either way, whole families lives are taken away or ruined for what you call a "mistake".  Drunk drivers are just as dangerous are armed gunmen.  If not more so, because they are much more unpredictable and usually it is the innocent who suffer.

    • Anonymous says:

      Lying to the police =/= making a mistake.

      Changing your story 3 times =/= making a mistake.

      Ensuring the mystery woman was whisked away and forgotten about =/= making a mistake.

    • Anonymous says:

      You know it’s sad to see the amount of thumps down on your comment! Why do we Caymanians like to harp on the Negative? Why can’t we just say “He got what he deserved" and move on? Before we ask our current and up and coming politicians for change we the people of the Cayman Islands need to change first and not burden them with our narrow minded way of thinking. Let them do what they elected to do! Let help them and cutting them down every chance we get.

  16. Anonymous says:

    Justice has been served as dictated by the LAW,he has been fined as any other person who committed a D.U.I. offence.

     

    • Anonymous says:

      He is not just any other person. He is the head of the Ministry if Education and his conduct should serve as an example for the youth of the Cayman Islands.

  17. Anonymou says:

    I view the dishonesty this Minister displayed throughout this episode with Dr Frank's lack of memory at being shot.

    Voters need to think long and hard at this episode and decide if this man is right for public office.

  18. Anonymous says:

    Strange that they are only taking his license now – usually they do that the night of the arrest, which would mean he'd be behind the wheel again in just a couple months with (minimum) time served.

    • Anonymous says:

      No, I don't believe they take your license on the night of your arrest as you haven't been prven guilty yet, but you have the ability to surrender it if you decide you are not fighting the charges which would count towards your time served.  Can anybody confirm this ?

      • Anonymous says:

        Why not take the licence? They wold take your gun if you shot someone right?

         

        To me, his licence was a weapon.

        • Rorschach says:

          Balderdash…His LICENSE is NOT a weapon..unless he was gonna scratch someone with the edge of it..I wish people would start using a modicom of common sense before they post some of the absolute rubbish they are putting on here….Rule of Law, people…

    • Anonymous says:

      Rubbish. A licence is only given up upon conviction.

    • Rorschach says:

      What are you on about??  NO ONE can take your license except the Magistrate…the RCIPS can charge you, but they can't "take your license"..get your facts straight and stop trying to muddy the water..

    • Anonymous says:

      You are mistaken. They don’t take your license until you have been sentenced. You walk out of court without it.

    • Anonymous says:

      Do your parents know you’ve got the computer?

    • Anonymous says:

      Eeejit… if you don't know somethng – just keep your mouth shut.

    • The Wong. says:

      No, I don't believe that they take your license on the night/time of the offence. If done correctly, you are charged after being arrested for suspicion of driving under the influence.

      The courts are the one to decide the punishment that is fit for the crime. They are the authority when it comes the suspension of the right to drive.

  19. Anonymous says:

    Although this may be a first time offense, I would have liked to see spend a few nights in Northward!!  How many of know of someone injured or died at the hands of someone drunk behind the wheel.  How many persons have been killed by drunk drivers.  Paying a fine and getting your license suspended are not much of a deterrent.  Worst of all, he's the deputy premier and the minister of education–he should be made to resign!  Such a person should be in-charge of education or serve as a role-model to young persons.  What about lying to the police?  What about lying about the woman with him–not knowing who she was–yeah right!  He should have been charged with perjury!  I hope the people of Cayman see him for who he really is and that he got off scott-free.  To make matters worse, is the CIG paying for his driver??  Knowing the corruption that the CIG loves to embrace, I bet they are–which means we are!! 

  20. Anonymous says:

    Poor ole Mannie the driver!  You ga have sum late nights bobo.  Picking him up from here there and every where. But wait………  oh no, cchh, almost wrote what I was thinking!!

  21. Anonymous says:

    Rocket bus starts running from 5am, it shouldn’t be a problem getting to work and to the bar from May 2013 lol!

    Wp

    • Anonymous says:

      According to other reports here on CNS , assuming he is elected he wont need to get to work until 10 anyway…

    • Anonymous says:

      you mean the rollie bus?

  22. Hon. Absurdistani says:

    Why wasn't he charged with obstruction of justice? It's clear that he lied to police and he hid the identity of the woman that was in his car that the police 'lost track of'.

    • Anonymous says:

      Because no one made a complaint to the police. They apparently don't do anything without a complaint.

    • Anonymous says:

      What's with all of you about this woman in the car????? Geez, we're sick of reading this comment now. You would swear she was some kind of high profile person that is hiding her identity. Let it go and move on.

  23. Anonymous says:

    And don't forget someone else sentence soon come too!!

    • Anonymous says:

      How can you get a sentence before a conviction? Or do you mean our sentence to the land of overty when he sues us.

      • Anonymous says:

        Looks like someone took a joke too seriously.  Anyone with an understanding of due process would ponder this:

         

        Innocent Until Proven Guilty

         

        First, it should be pointed out that if you did it, you're guilty, no matter what. So you're not innocent unless you're truly innocent. However, our system presumes innocence, which means that legally speaking, even the obviously guilty are treated as though they are innocent, until they are proven otherwise. This basic right comes to us, like many things, from English jurisprudence, and has been a part of that system for so long, that it is considered common law.

         

        When FCU and the DPP bring charges against anyone seems they are pretty sure of themselves. In a certain case it's up to an expensive team of Expat lawyers instead of locals to prove otherwise. The nation can only hope they are not paying yet again for such an expense. 

         

        As for the land of "overty", that must be like the land of "oz" which exists in some peoples heads, but not many.

    • Anonymous says:

      Guess u know something that every body else doesn't. Idiot.

  24. The lone haranguer rides again! says:

    Fair enough, I recommend “home Safe” after we ave had a few, squash and riding baby whip yourself into top shape.

  25. Anonymous says:

    Remorseful??  He pleaded innocent!!  

  26. Anonymous says:

    Strive for perfection?  How about he sets some achievable goals, and strives for mediocrity first?

  27. Anonymous says:

    the cayman electorate gets exactly what it deserves by electing these guys….

  28. Anonymous says:

    his lies and backtracking would have meant sacking/resignation anywhere else in the civilised world…..

    oh yeah cayman does not to accountability….zzzzzzzzzz…… this place is one big joke….

  29. Anonymous says:

    drivers rehabilitation course???…wtf…

    is this something to help you being a better drunk driver?

  30. Anonymous says:

    yo steve…you should have thrown in the 'sacred vessel' line….

  31. Anonymous says:

    sad thing is….he will be re-elected come may…….welcome to wonderland

    • Anonymous says:

      But only by West Bayers, so that goes to show you what West Bayers think about drinking and driving – all of those who vote for Rolston will be saying to us that it is ok by them if 1) a Minister in Government drinks and drives, 2) lies to the Police, and 3) lies to the Court (when he pleaded not guilty at the hearing).

       

      West Bayers, we'll know how you feel about drinking and driving if you re-elect Rolston.

  32. Anonymous says:

    I’ll see you country & western bar! Now you can drink & not worry about a dui!

    C-western drinking partner

  33. Anonymous says:

    Well let us pray that he stops drinking alcohol all together. He should use this chance as an opportunity to strive for that perfection he has been trying to achieve.  

  34. Stan says:

    Wow.  And this is CAYMAN'S MINISTER FOR EDUCATION… found in his car with another woman in the early morning hours (woman not his wife), so I heard… That is why I believe more than everbefore that members of the Legislative Assembly should not take on any executive portfolio. They should stick with making laws only – not being in charge of portfolio. Let educated people who are in the Civil Service run the executive arm of the country. For instance, Minister of Education should be the Chief Secretary of our Education Department, et cetera with the other departments. Let's get the MLAs out of running these ministries – they are not experts.  

  35. Anonymous says:

    Ok so we have the Leader of the UDP with corruption charges, A leading member of the Fab Five/People's National Alliance with a suspended license for drunk driving and then there is Kenneth Bryant (PPM) with his past…. Hope these parties think twice before they throw stones from their glass houses.

  36. Frank says:

    Court Fee's he had to pay – KYD3,000

    Cost to public purse for a driver for 4 years should he be elected – KYD30,000

     

    • Anonymous says:

      Isn't that KYD300,000? The driver must be worth 75K a year just to keep his mouth shut.

    • Anonymous says:

      I believe it is more like KYD50,000 per year x 4 years = KYD200,000

  37. Anonymous says:

    Hopefully his transport costs for the next year won't come out of the public purse!

  38. Anonymous says:

    Glad to see that he was given the same punishment as any first time offender wouldhave received although it would have been more honest of him to have plead guilty right from the start instead of trying to get out of it by making up 3 different stories. That alone is enough for me to not trust him as an MLA.

    • Anonymous says:

      Exactly!  I don't call lying 3 times before fessing up "…making a foolish mistake".  His penalty should have been increased threefold for this alone.

  39. Sasha Grey says:

    I can't wait to see him waitng at the bus stop after the Elections.

    • Anonymous says:

      OMG he has always been an honest person…no he just got caught this time around…

    • Anonymous says:

      Be even funnier to see him riding a tiny bike on tiny bike lanes on the road he pushed through. Hecould have had a straight trip to and from WB on the broad shoulders of the COUNTRIES' coastal road on the West.  Guess he'll have to wait on da one…

      • Diogenes says:

        You have obviously never ridden a bike down West Bay Road, or if you have, your view and mine of "broad shoulders"are somewhat different, quite apart from the issue of the surface on the WB Road hard shoulder. 

  40. Anonymous says:

    Yes – strive for perfection.

    No –  Dont drink n drive, lie, lie, lie… and then, fess up and whitewash the mess.

    This could have been a great learning opportunity for our youths..

    Pity!

     

  41. Anonymous says:

    Good thing he has a driver now – at the people's expense!

    • Anonymous says:

      same on him if it was up to me he would have to pay 5000 and his lic gone fr 4years

      • Anonymous says:

        After that he should have to go to every school on the island and explain why it is not a good idea to drink and drive. My 19 year old cousin was killed by a drunk driver who was not jailed. This was a secondary horrific blow to a family who had already been almost destroyed by losing this child. 

  42. Anonymous says:

    More arrogance and classless excuse making.  He could not just admit gulit and accept punishment could he?  What IS tragic is that this person remained in office despite such a serious offence.  What IS tragic is that this man wasted police time. What IS tragic is abuse of religion by claiming prayer lead him to plead guilty so late in the day.