Archive for August, 2009
Police nab nine “bail-bandits” in warrant operation
(CNS): Police said on Monday that they had arrested nine people in a special operation designed to target those who have failed to appear in court as bailed or had not paid fines imposed as punishment. Those netted owed between them over $16,000 to the court system and two of those arrested were given prison sentences of 70 days and 27 months respectively. While another two people paid their fines immediately, the remainder were bailed by the court to appear again at a later date.
The operation, conducted by the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service’s (RCIPS) Process Department on Friday, 21 August targeted individuals who had warrants issued for their arrest. Eight men and one woman aged between 16 and 62 were arrested in the process. “People who do not appear in court or fail to pay the fines imposed do not respect the criminal justice system,” said Sergeant Angela Madourie of the Process Department. “We will not allow people to dodge the punishment they have been given for their crimes. People should not see a fine as an easy option. If it isn’t paid, you will be arrested and taken back before the court.”
Sergeant Marourie also stressed that the police would rather not have to go looking for people. “If you have been given a court date or a fine to pay, your best course of action is to turn up on time or pay the fine,” she said, “otherwise you will face arrest for a second time.”
Anyone who thinks they may have an outstanding warrant against them or has yet to pay a fine issued by the court should contact their local police station or the court house as soon as possible. Residents who have been issued with a traffic ticket or similar should pay it as soon as possible, rather than waiting until the final day of payment which can often be forgotten and missed. In addition, everyone should keep a record of receipt as proof of payment of a fine and record court appearance dates so they do not get overlooked.
FOI boss backs Duguay
(CNS): In the wake of concerns raised by auditor general regarding government confidentiality clauses in contracts using public money and possible moves by the Public Accounts Committee to delay the public exposure of his office’s reports, Information Commissioner Jennifer Dilbert has offered her support to Dan Duguay and is urging the government to publish the auditor general’s reports in a timely fashion and to minimize the use of confidentiality clauses to shield contracts from the public.
“The publishing of reports, in a timely manner, will be a determining factor in establishing whether or not government is truly committed to two guiding principles of freedom of information – transparency and accountability.”
Boaters fined over weekend ganja smoking
(CNS): Two men who were nabbed by the joint Customs, Police and Immigration Marine Unit for smoking ganja while aboard a boat at Rum Point last month have been fined $600 by the courts after pleading guilty to possession and consumption of the drug. Police said the pair was arrested on Sunday, 19 July after the marine unit had received complaints that ganja was being smoked in the area. “We often receive complaints from people about ganja being smoked at Rum Point on the weekends,” said Inspector Brad Ebanks. “This is a popular destination for families and small children and it’s a real concern for parents.”
On July 19 the Marine Unit responded to complaints that ganja was being smoked in the area by a group of young boaters. Police identified the suspects and searched the boat. The search revealed a small amount of ganja and a partially used ganja cigarette. Two men were subsequently charged with possession and consumption of ganja and were fined $250 and $350 dollars each after they pleaded guilty.
“We will continue to ensure that families and young children can enjoy the Rum Point and Kaibo areas without the fear of encountering illegal drug use. We regularly patrol this area on weekends to ensure safety for everyone due to the large amounts of boaters. However, it seems that there are some who spoil this family gathering tradition by consuming drugs, this we will have to pay closer attention to,” Inspector Ebanks said adding that anyone who witnesses this behaviour should make a report to police.
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.
Walkers looks east for new business
(CNS): Walkers has announced that it has launched a new specialist business practice covering the Central and Eastern European Region (CEER) with the aim of increasing local accessibility to offshore legal services as well as provide greater support to clients doing business in Russia and these other expanding markets. Advising on the laws of the Cayman Islands, the British Virgin Islands (BVI) and Jersey, Walkers’ said the new CEER Business Practice will offer the firm’s full range of services.
The legal firm said that the initiative would be spearheaded by partner Jack Boldarin who has relocated to Europe in order to provide time-zone relevant support. “Boldarin is admitted as an attorney in both the Cayman Islands and the BVI, where he has headed up the finance and corporate department for the past three years. Now based in Walkers’ Jersey office, he will receive the support of a dedicated group of partners and associates drawn from Walkers’ London and Jersey offices,” Walkers added.
Boldarin has received numerous recognitions from the leading legal commentators for his work with Walkers both in the Cayman Islands and the BVI, with recommendations from the International Financial Law Review and Chambers Global Guide. In addition, the PLC Which Lawyer Yearbook ranked him in the top tier of Banking and Finance lawyers in the BVI and the Legal 500 directory said Boldarin was "widely acclaimed as one of the islands’ top practitioners".
Walkers stated that with oldarin’s commercial expertise across transactions and products in the emerging Eastern European economies and Walkers’ reputation as the legal counsel of first choice on complex, multi-jurisdictional transactions, clients in the region can rely on receiving the most relevant, commercially aware advice to best meet their objectives
Men robbed at gun point
(CNS) : Police said this morning that the Criminal Investigation Department in George Town has begun an enquiry into the robbery of two men which occurred in the vicinity of the Tortuga factory on North Sound Road on Friday night (21 August). The men said they had been threatened by two robbers who had what appeared to be a hand gun as they demanded cash and then made their escape in a vehicle. Officers are now appealing for anyone in the area who may’ve seen something to come forward.
The 911 Emergency Communications Centre received the call reporting the mugging at 11.10pm. A man stated that he and a friend had been walking in the area when they had been approached by two men armed with what appeared to be a handgun who demanded they hand over any money they had. The victim told police the offenders were given an undisclosed sum of cash and they left from the location in a vehicle. He said they were both dark skinned and were wearing dark clothing.
Meanwhile, during a road block during the early hours of Saturday morning police said they arrested two men on suspicion ofpossession of an illegal firearm. The block was conducted on West Bay Road in the vicinity of the Courtyard Marriot where the vehicle was searched and a weapon was recovered and the two male occupants were arrested.
The weapon has since been examined and it has been determined that the weapon is a flare gun. The two men aged 24 and 27 have been released on bail pending further enquiries. Police said they were unable to draw any connection between the two incidents at this stage.
The RCIPS vows to continue with road blocks such as this in an effort to disrupt the movements of criminals, identify and bring to justice offenders and provide reassurance to the community.
Anyone who can help with the armed robbery should contact George Town CID on 949-4222 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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Jazz fest to move to Cayman’s new town
(CNS): Camana Bay is to provide the new venue for the sixth annual Cayman Jazz Fest, which takes place this December with headline act Alicia Keys (left). Joining the nine-time Grammy Award winner, will be R&B legend, Keith Sweat; eight-time Grammy nominee jazz saxophonist, Kirk Whalum; soul vocalist, Oleta Adams; multi-year Cayman jazz fest performer, Mike Phillips; Peabo Bryson; and Everette Harp. For the last five years the event was held on Pageant Beach. However, after what was described as months of negotiation, the festival will be moved to Grand Cayman’s newest neighbourhood.
“We are excited to present a new site for this year’s Cayman Jazz Fest. Music and jazz aficionados, families and visitors-alike will get the whole package on their trip to Grand Cayman this year: a distinctive getaway filled with the best in music, pristine beaches, wonderful culinary finds and a warm and welcoming culture,” said Minister of Tourism, McKeeva Bush.
Mark VanDevelde, CEO of Dart Realty, said the festival was in line with Camana Bay’s goals to have the new town host exiting events. “After months of negotiating, we are delighted that the Ministry and Department of Tourism accepted our sponsorship proposal to host Cayman Jazz Fest 2009 at Camana Bay. Cayman Jazz Fest is a world class event, designed to showcase the best of the Cayman Islands and motivate visitors to vacation with us – goals which are very much aligned with the goals we have for Camana Bay,” he said.
“One related goal is for Camana Bay to host exciting events which appeal to a wide demographic of residents and visitors alike as a way of energizing the Town Centre. Cayman Jazz Fest is one such event. Our five year commitment to hosting Cayman Jazz Fest underscores our commitment to hosting world class events both for destination marketing and for the enjoyment of the local community.”
Acting Director of Tourism, Shomari Scott, said the festival, which is set for 3 to 5 December, would be a fantastic event. “The new Camana Bay location, coupled with the soulful sounds of Ms Keys and the other seasoned international performers we welcome in December, will elevate Cayman Jazz Fest to the highest level,” he added.
For additional information or to sign up for updates visit www.caymanjazzfest.com.
Lions add to pride
(CNS):
New law boosts offshore business
(CNS): The Cayman Islands Monetary Authority has confirmed that Appleby is the first law firm in the Cayman Islands to utilise the “merger provisions” for two CIMA registered mutual funds following the amendment of the Cayman Islands Companies Law in April of this year. Until the changes a Cayman company could only combine with another company by way of “arrangement” which required the parties involved to apply to the Grand Court for approval. This Certificate of Merger signifies the first CIMA registered mutual fund structure to make use of the amendment.
The new legislation makes a distinction between a “consolidation” and a “merger”. In a merger, one company remains as the surviving entity, having in effect absorbed the other merging parties that are then struck off and cease to exist. By comparison, in a consolidation, a new entity is formed from the combination of each participating company. The participating companies, as a consequence, cease to exist and are eachstruck off by the Registrar of Companies.
Prince Phillip gaffs again
(TVNZ): The Duke of Edinburgh has put his foot in his mouth again to continue his long tradition of conversational blunders. This time Prince Phillip was at a Buckingham Palace garden party when he struck up a conversation with man by asking what he did for a living. The man said he was a designer, to which the 88 year-old royal replied: "Well, you didn’t design your beard too well did you?" Not the first time the aging royal has left people stunned the Duke once told UK students while visiting China, "If you stay here much longer, you’ll all be slitty-eyed," and asked "Aren’t most of you descended from pirates?" on a visit to the Cayman Islands.
Blogger to sue Google
(Times Online): Google is to be sued for $15 million (£9 million) by an anonymous blogger who was unmasked by the internet search company. Rosemary Port said that Google had failed to protect her right to privacy when the company obeyed a court order to reveal her name after she used her blog to accuse a former Vogue model of being a "psychotic, lying, whoring … skank". Liskula Cohen, 36, won a landmark case in a New York court last week, forcing Google to disclose the online identity of Ms Port, 29, a Fashion Institute of Technology student, who created her "Skanks in NYC" blog a year ago using Google’s Blogger.com program.