Archive for December 3rd, 2013
Crown opens forgery case against BT woman
(CNS): A Bodden Town woman has been accused of using forged currency and counterfeiting after she allegedly handed over forged Cayman Islands cash in two locations during 2011. Shannon Ebanks is accused of using fake money at the Everglo bar in Bodden Town and at a branch of Dunkin’ Donuts, where CCTV footage shows her taking a $100 note from her boyfriend and handing it to a cashier. Police later found 41 half printed forged 25 dollar notes at the house where Ebanks lives with her boyfriend, along with equipment that prosecutors said could be used in counterfeiting. She has denied knowledge that the currency she used was forged or knowing anything about the partially printed notes found hidden in the bathroom of her home.
Ebanks’ boyfriend, who stays at her home in Kipling Street, Bodden Town, and who was with her at Dunkin’ Donuts has not been charged.
Prosecuting counsel said that the crown would show that Ebanks was aware and had knowledge that the money she used was forged and that is supported by the evidence found at her home. Police recovered a photocopier, metallic strips, paper, metallic pens and a counterfeit pen along with the partially printed fake $25 notes.
The trial continues Tuesday in Court One before a jury and presiding judge Justice Alex Henderson.
Veteran brings in cash after crossing marathon line
(CNS): Despite his more mature status at 65 years old, veteran local marathon runner Derek Haines has done it again and completed yet another 26-mile race, raising over $30,000 for a local charity in the process. Haines finished this year’s Intertrust Marathon in 4.18.26 on Sunday, which he said was “a tad slower” than the four hours or less he was aiming for but cramp slowed him down during the last four miles of the race. Nevertheless, he made it home in first place for his age group and 32nd overall — much faster then some who were half his age. Best of all, Haines has just over $33k pledged for the Feed our Future charity, the cause that Haines was pounding the pavement for this year.
Haines was aiming to collect $30,000 for the charity which supplies local kids with a lunch during the school holidays. He said that DART, PWC and the Rotary Club of Grand Cayman all chipped in CI$5K corporate sponsorship and all the rest came in from other companies, friends, colleagues and family ,who he said had all been so generous in their contributions.
“It was a well organised and supported event, “Haines said of Sunday’s race. “Congratulations and thanks to those concerned and all of the volunteers who did a great job around the course.”
The race started on Sunday morning at 5am Sunday in downtown George Town with around 1,300 people running, walking or using wheel chairs. The 26.2 mile full marathon was won by Justin Grunewald (27) from Minneapolis, USA, one of hundreds of people who Came to Cayman for the race from overseas. He finished in 2:42:38, ahead of Steve Speirs (47), who came in at 2:56:18.
Grunewald’s wife, Gabriele, was the fastest female in the half-marathon (1:21:12). The full women’s race was won by Doan Pham from Houston, who clocked 3:42:51, which was 7th overall.
Meanwhile, Eileen Phipps bagged Haines’ special spot prize of a box of champagne for guessing the closest time. Just 4 seconds out on the finishing time, Haines described the guess as rather “pessimistic but almost spot on”.