Corrupt cop bailed

| 28/07/2014

(CNS): Elvis Ebanks, who was sentenced to three years in prison last week, has been released on bail pending his appeal. Ebanks was convicted of corruption offences in connection with a bribe he solicited while on duty as an RCIPS officer from a Filipino national in order not pursue a case against him over a possible stolen phone. He spent just one night in custody at George Town police station after his sentencing following a successful closed door bail application by his attorney, Laurence Aiolif of Stenning & Associates. The appeal against the conviction is scheduled for the November session and the former cop was bailed with an evening curfew and two $10,000 sureties until that hearing.

On Thursday, during the sentence hearing, Justice Charles Quin stated that Ebanks remained in denial about his crimes but his account that the bribe was just a loan was "entirely implausible". The judge pointed out that the ex-police officer could have obtained a loan from a local bank or the civil service Credit Union on far more favourable terms than the ones he claimed he had arranged with the defendant.

Seeing no evidence of remorse and considering Ebanks to be the primary motivator of the bribe, it was more serious than the circumstances of a police officer accepting a bribe offered to him. Although the money involved was not a significant amount, as it came to around $600, the judge pointed out that it was a "substantial portion" of the victim's monthly earnings.

Despite Ebanks' previous good character, his references and the impact of his crimes on his family and career, the judge said it was difficult to find any mitigating factors in the case, and given his position of trust as an officer, the abuse of that trust called for a custodial sentence.

The judge commended Elmer (Les) Ferraris for his bravery in coming forward and reporting what had happened, despite being terrified and believing that the police were going to press on with the case against him for stealing the phone, which, Ebanks had told him, would result in Ferraris being jailed for up to ten years, even though the owner of the phone had no intentions of pursuing a complaint against Ferraris, having had it returned to him.

Justice Quin said that Ebanks' conduct had not only undermined the reputation RCIPS but also the country and the courts would not tolerate corruption, as he handed down the three year prison term and also ordered Ebanks to make a compensation order for the cash he took from his victim.

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  1. Anonymous says:

    Legal aid for appeals should be strictly on the basis of payment only for a succesful appeal.  Would suddenly reduce the docket of the Court of Appeal in one fell swoop.

    • Anonymous says:

      Legal Aid for people who can clearly pay that is crime on its self Wow!!!!

      • Anonymous says:

        To my understanding he had legal aide for all 3 trials. Obviously some people too smart to understand how legal aid works.  When you apply you fill out a form including your personal finances and so forth, before it's granted or refused legal aid does a background check, if ur found to be able to be your own legal fees then your application is refused.  Legal aid also applies to appeals as the matter is still ongoing although it's not a trial being held again.  So if he applied for legal aid and it was approved , what crime has been committed by Ebanks.  Seems you're just another one of those type of people on here trying to make it more than what it really is!!! Useless I say

    • Anonymous says:

      As a response to your totally thoughtless comment,  the first thing about appealing is that you need leave by a single grand court judge who determines that there is a possibility that the appeal will succeed, if the judge does not see prima facie evidence in the grounds of appeal those being errors in law whether misdirection to the jurors or evidence that was argued by defense counsel not too be admitted but was allowed by the judge in favor of the crown then he will give leave to appeal to the Cayman Islands court of appeal.  Now seeing that you don't know anything about the law nor how it actually works , that's why the defendant was allowed bail pending the appeal as I stated above he clearly has been given leave to appeal.  Try using google and doing some research before you come on cns , just to make yourself feel productive only because the hot sun ran your lazy a$$ outta bed.  Maybe u should try getting a job I mean u haven't actually had one since before hurricane Ivan!!!! 

  2. Anonymous says:

    WATCH your back ELMER, be sure to go home early and always go with your friends whenever you steping out 🙂

    • Anonymous says:

      Not sure why he needs to suddenly watch his back now 2 years later. I don't recall seeing any posts about the defendant interfering with Elmer during the whole of the three trial out of which 2 were aborted.  It doesn't matter too me am just puzzled by the comment and not sure if you're just being sarcastic or trying to make insinuations.  I don't know Elvis Ebanks at all either if he quilty then he guilty however am just trying see how the comment makes any sense.  As for appeals for those of you who don't know- even convicted murderers can appeal against conviction, and the law is if you can't afford representation then that's what legal aid is there for. It's called natural justice hence the reason he was granted bail.  Now had the defendant been an expat not one single person would have a word to say. Check the news and see how many people are wrongly convicted throughout the USA or the UK.  Glenn Ford spent more than 3 decades in a louisannia penitentiary for a robbery and murder that he didn't commit, why cause the jury were all white andstrategically selected by the states prosecutor, that's what u call corruption and someone not getting a fair trial.  We have the ECHR article 6 makes it clear everyone is entitled to a fast and speedy trial but also a fair trial for all not just defendant or the prosecution but inclusive of the public. Guess the bloggers on here with get what u deserve attitude are all expats, had he been Englishor someo other nationality an they had 2 mistrials people would wonder how that is. Law is law and is tree for everyone and everyone of us if it were us would want to be given a fair trial wouldn't we "people". I know I would want a fair trial.

  3. Anonyanmous says:

    Giving him bail is one thing but is he prepared to be given more time for wasting the court's time?

    His version of events some how does not ring true and as a result if I was the judge responsible for the appeal his evidence would have to be much greater than at the initial trial or I would be inclined to add more time on the sentence of three years.

    • Anonymous says:

      I certainly hope that you don't have kids, or you're not the kind of parent that thinks their kids are saints until the kids get caught smoking a joint or busted trying to steal a snickers candy bar from the supermarket, certainly to me that somehow rings true to me that that's exactly the kinda of parent u are. If u ain't I pray that god blesses you and sew your hole shut an if ur make that he never allow your Weiner to stand up again other than by a string pulling it upwards.  That's te problem with cns sites every article you read it is filled with useless comments why in gods name does this have to be?? Live your life and let others live theirs and before making a silly comment fueled with childish and stupid thoughts that adds no true value to the article. Where I understand that this is free speech, however for the love of god can't we all be positive for once.

      Man if he is guilty he guilty only he and god knows , and god will be his judge not us.

      If he wins his appeal what happens, are we going to then jump on cns and blog wow how did that happen Stevie wonder could see he is guilty.  Judges in courts and presiding over matters are the main reasons for many successful convictions being overturned by the appeals court.

      Rabe Welcome was convicted, took his matter to the appeal court and had his conviction quashed, before his appeal hearing everybody was on here , got what he deserved he was bully.  Now that he won his appeal no one has a word to say. Come on man!!!!  Grow up people. 

  4. Anonymous says:

    Don't you people read ??? It is not unusual for someone to be granted bail while they await their appeal hearing. It happens frequently. But when a Caymanian is allowed bail pending his appeal then all hell breaks loose with comments about its because he is Caymanian. When an expatriate is given bail in these circcumstances not a word is said. This just demonstrates that Caymanians are still a kinder gentler people !

  5. Anonymous says:

    How does it work??

     

  6. Anonymous says:

    Who is paying for this folly?

  7. Anonymous says:

    It's not unsual for someone to be out on Bail pending an appeal. Don't make this more than it is..

  8. Hurley E says:

    If u aint corrupt you simply don't make in this little place! aint that the truth.

  9. Anonymous says:

    don't worry people he is only buying a little time ,the appeal court will find him guilty and the fun wil be all over 

  10. Anonymous says:

    I hope Elmer Ferraris stays safe while this convicted officer is out on bail.

  11. Anonymous says:

    What the hell is he appealing? Stevie Wonder could see he is guilty!! Who asks a guy they have just arrested (that works at a car wash) to borrow money? 

  12. Hummmm says:

    Is this the message the kind of message the law is sending to the police officers?

    you are convicted and you get bail? Come on guys!

    • Castor says:

      Same consideration anyone else who has been convicted of a crime. He is bailed until his appeal is heard in November. 

    • Anonymous says:

      07/;36, At least when his appeal fails he won't get any merit for tme already served.

  13. Anonymous says:

    Hehe, cayman justice, for caymanians 

    • Anonymous says:

      Of course.  It is after all their home. 

    • Anonymous says:

      Idiot, people are allowed to be released (if the judge sees fit) on bail when they file an appeal.

      This is how it is done all over the world.

    • Anonymous says:

      Expats are given bail and they abscond.  What About that?  They travelled to countries, where they cannot be extradited from.  Are you reading ?