Archive for December 31st, 2010
Suspected church burglar arrested in West Bay
(CNS): A 44-year-old man is currently detained in police custody in connection with a burglary at a West Bay church as enquiries into the break in continue. Police said the man was arrested yesterday afternoon (Thursday 30 December) at the Boatswains Presbyterian Church, Boatswain Bay Road at around 4.00pm. Officers received a report shortly before that from someone that the church had been broken into and the man was still inside the building. Police units immediately attended the scene and arrested the man on suspicion of burglary. Meanwhile, a 23-year-old man was arrested in West Bay for driving and weapon offences following an incident on the early hours of this morning.
At about 4.30 am on Friday, 31 December officers from West Bay Police Station were carrying out traffic checks in the Leslor Manor area when thy spotted a black Honda motor vehicle driving at 62 mph in a 25 mph limit. The officers immediately stopped the car and arrested the driver on suspicion of dangerous driving. He was taken to West Bay Police Station where he was searched and found to be in possession of a ratchet knife, police said. The man was then arrested for possession of a prohibited weapon and detained at West Bay Police Station.
Anyone with any information regarding these or other crimes is asked to call West Bay CID on 949-3999 or Crime Stoppers 800-8477 (TIPS).
Rape victim pulled from bike
(CNS): Police said this morning that they have charged a 44-year-old man with rape following an attack on a woman in West Bay earlier this week. Police have revealed that the young woman, who was only 16, was riding her bicycle in Powell Smith Drive on Monday, 27 December, around 6pm in the evening was grabbed by a man who dragged her into a nearby house and raped her. The matter was reported to police and later that same evening the man was arrested on suspicion of rape. A police spokesperson said that the man has now been formally charged with rape and defilement and was expected to appear in court later on Friday 31 December.
Anyonewith information about crime happening in the Cayman Islands is asked to contact crime stoppers on 800-8477 (TIPS) or your local police station.
New Year’s Eve purple bus finds sponsor
(CNS): In an effort to keep the roads safe this New Years Eve the NDC is encouraging everyone to take advantage of the free purple ribbon bus for their journey home tonight. Having found a sponsor for the programme the National Drug Council said the bus will be running every 30 minutes along scheduled routes throughout Grand Cayman from West Bay to Bodden Town with hourly buses to North Side and East End from 9:00 pm to 3:00 am. The programme has been sponsored by local law firm Walkers. Major terminals will be Morgans Harbour, Public Beach, Cayman Falls, Lobster Pot, Grand Harbour, Kaibo/Rum Point.
Buses will passing by all the major New Year’s Eve events which are planned across the island and passengers merely need to flag down a passing bus and the driver will help you get to your destination. To hear a voice recording of the routes call 949-9000.
“Without private sponsors like Walkers we couldn’t operate this programme which has proven itself in getting drinking drivers off the roads on New Year’s Eve,” said Joan West-Dacres, Executive Director.
“Walkers is delighted to support the National Drug Council’s New Year’s Eve Purple Ribbon Bus Campaign," said David Byrne, Chief Marketing Officer with Walkers. "We hope that everyone in the Cayman Islands enjoys the festivities this year and has a happy, prosperous and safe 2011."
For more information on becoming a sponsor please contact the National Drug Council at 949-9000.
Catboat icon gets MBE
(CNS): Two Caymanians have been given royal gongs in the Queen’s 2011 New Year’s Honours List and eight others have received local honours from the governor. William Kemuel Jackson has received an MBE for his contributions to preserving Caymanian culture and the environment. Something of a cultural icon himself, Jackson is best known for his incredible work as a master catboat builder. A second MBE has gone to the speaker of the Legislative Assembly, Mary Lawrence, for services to the community, an official release said. The Cayman Islands Certificate and Badge of Honour awarded by the governor has gone to Mary Elizabeth Blake, Ellen Rose Sherman, Reba Dilbert, Morgan DaCosta, Audrey Ebanks, Rod Hansen, Dave Thompson and Zemrie Estella Thompson for their various contributions to the community. (Photo Dennie Warren Jr)
Vice president of the Cat Boat Association and vice chairman of the Cayman Maritime Heritage Foundation, Jackson has worked hard to preserve the art of cat boating, as well as being an advocate for Cayman’s natural environment for many years. Describing the boats as the pick-up truck of their day, Jackson says there is simply no improving on the design of this especially Caymanian boat. Now in his early seventies, Jackson has retired from his life as a merchant seaman but continues to sail his own catboat and to share with others the intricacies of cat boating, including the hundreds of children he teaches every summer. “It is important that our young people take an interest in our heritage,” he said.
Lawrence, a former school teacher, has been given the MBE for her “service to community and country”, an official release said. Having worked as housemother in the Frances Bodden Home for Girls, as well as being a member of the Adoption Board, she recently consulted for government on the reform the residential care system for children. Described as working “tirelessly to promote good government”, Lawrence, who is currently the speaker of the Legislative Assembly, has also worked as a journalist. Lawrence said she was honoured to receive the MBE. Paying tribute to her late husband, she said his support made it possible for her to pursue her interests.