Archive for March 9th, 2014
Judge laments crown’s breach of court order
(CNS): The investigating officer and the prosecution came in for some harsh criticism on Friday from a Grand Court judge when he heard that a defendant had been waiting for more than a year to find out the details of serious charges laid against him. Justice Charles Quin said the defendant and his client faced a “complete black hole” and it was “unacceptable” that there was no explanation about the crown’s failure to comply with a court order he had made. Defence attorney Guy Dilliway-Parry, of Priestley’s, told the court that his client, Walter Jordan McLaughlin, had been facing charges of attempted rape for over a year without being provided with the statement from his accuser or any details of the alleged crime.
The lawyer said that as the crown had breached a court order to make the fundamental disclosure, he asked the judge to tell the crown they had just one more week to disclose otherwise they would not be allowed to rely on the complainant’s statement as evidence against his client.
The judge fell short of such a measure, which would have essentially closed down the case, but told the crown they only had seven more days. Since the trial was not until August, he said, the defence would still have time to deal with the allegations once they knew what they were.
The judge was clearly frustrated by the prosecution's lack of explanation, as the crown counsel for the case was away and had left word that the investigating officer was due to supply the information before the deadline. However, he had failed to do so and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions had been unable to track down the officer before the court appearance.
Dilliway-Parry described the situation as a “farce”, when he said the only information coming from the crown about the case was a video recording of the complaint's statement, which was in Spanish, along with a short translated description by the police officer. When he continued to press for more, he had been told he would find out when the complainant gave evidence at trial. “This is utterly unacceptable,” the lawyer said.
The judge warned the prosecutors that the ODPP could not just “ignore court orders willynilly”, and agreed with the defence that for an order to be made by the court and then for nothing to happen “was unacceptable”.
Justice Quin urged the police and prosecutors to communicate properly and work together on cases in order that these ongoing problems of disclosure could be addressed.
Accountants sue former trainee for $55k scholarship
(CNS): Ernst & Young has filed a law suit in the Cayman Islands Grand Court against a former student employee and her father to recover the scholarship shereceived after she failed to complete her accountancy exams and then resigned from the firm. The suit against Samantha Widmer and Peter Widmer is seeking $55,462.36 plus annual interest at 2.38% since May 2011 and costs. The Cayman branch of the international accountancy and consultant firm claims Widmer (26), a former Young Caymanian Leaders Award finalist and beauty pageant contestant, entered into a scholarship agreement with the firm in 2006, in which it footed the bill for her studies and professional accountancy qualification.
When Widmer failed to complete the accountancy qualification and then later resigned from the firm, the accountants asked for their money back as the deal, they say, had been that once she completed her full time studies she would take and pass the CPA and work at the firm for at least two years.
The firm asked for the money to be returned in November 2010 following her departure from the job, sone after her mother had passed away. Having claimed that she had been unfairly dismissed, Widmer did not return the scholarship fund but a tribunal hearing in July found against her, ruling that she had resigned.
See copy of writ on OfffshoreAlert website.
Commonwealth programme open to local youngsters
(CNS): Young Caymanians aged between 18-15 are being invited to apply for one of 100 places on a special leadership programme to take place in Scotland this summer alongside the commonwealth Games. The Commonwealth Youth Leadership Programme 33Fifty is looking for talented young people from across the Commonwealth to take part in the free four day programme in Glasgow and Edinburgh where they will work in groups to develop a response to the challenge “What role does the youth of the Commonwealth need to play in progress toward low-carbon economies?”
The programme, according to organisers aims to connect knowledge across nations and to inspire the next generation of leaders. It will see participants present their reports to Commonwealth Sports Ministers, International Development Ministers or Heads of State who will be gathered for the Commonwealth Games.
Eligible applicants must be aged 18-25 on 17 July 2014, and be a citizen of a Commonwealth country. The deadline for submissions is 16 March 2014. Submissions must be made via an application form found on the website in which applicants must answer five questions about themselves on which the selection will be based.
For more information visit the 33Fifty website at www.33fifty.org Facebook and Twitter, or email info@33fifty.org.
Ultra-marathon attracts largest line-up
(CNS): Now in its fifth year, Cayman’s own 50K ultra-marathon Off the Beaten Track attracted 367 participants willing to tackle this one of a kind off road race, which included 19 individual runners and 58 relay teams. First place in the men’s race went to David Lim who finished in 4:33:27, while Helki Weber was the first woman home and the fifth individual racer overall to cross the finish line on Seven Mile Beach with a time of 5:06:07. The race which took place Sunday February 23 began at the end of Beach Bay Road, in Bodden Town and took the runners on a winding cross country course through that district.
The course took runners through fields and trails to Grand Harbour then through George Town via the airport and across Esterly Tibbetts highway to Seven Mile Beach to Calico Jacks before hitting the West Bay Road. The course carried on through West Bay via Batabano and Barkers then back through West Bay via Birch Tree Hill and down to West Bay public beach where runners made the final leg along the shore to the finish line at Tiki Beach.
Competitors raised over $14,000 in what was the biggest turnout so far since the race was created by Ultra-marathon veteran Kenneth Krys in 2010.
“I am so pleased with the outcome of this year’s race,” he said. “We had our biggest turnout ever in relation to runners and sponsors. As a direct result our two charities, Cayman Meals on Wheels and Facing Africa will benefit even more from the increased proceeds.
“I want to extend my sincere thanks to all of our sponsors, donors and over 65 volunteers that helped out this year, as this event would not be possible without their ongoing and generous support”, Krys added.
Meals on Wheels, a local charity that is supported throughout the year by the staff of KRyS Global, provides nutritious meals to the elderly and infirm, specifically in area of West Bay, George Town, East End and Bodden Town. The proceeds will go towards covering the operational costs and costs of meals for many of the islands’ elderly residents. Facing Africa has been the chosen international charity since the race’s inception in 2010 and is dedicated to helping children in Nigeria and Ethiopia who suffer from life-threatening facial disfigurements resulting from the disease, NOMA.
Major sponsors of the event are race organisers, KRyS Global and longtime sponsors Tower and Brown Rudnick. Supporting sponsors this year were Ritch & Conolly, Cayman Active and Race Caribbean. Ignition sponsored a local youth team and Grand & Eisenhofer (NY) was the breakfast sponsors.
For more information about this race, visit www.offthebeatentrack.ky
Webb keeps up fight against football corruption
(CNS): The Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) has introduced a blanket prevention initiative in the on-going fight against match manipulation. The association has launched an education program for the benefit of players, coaches and officials participating in CONCACAF championships at all age levels. “Protect Yourself and Keep Your Sport Clean,” debuted here in Cayman at the CONCACAF Women’s Under-20 Championship. “Match manipulation is a global scourge that we at CONCACAF take very seriously, and are fighting aggressively,” said CONCACAF President Jeffrey Webb.
“Under the weight of initiatives such as this one, we are convinced that match fixers will now think twice before interfering in the game we all love – or else, they will face the consequences,” Webb added.
During the Cayman Islands launch all members of the eight participating delegations – over 200 players and officials in total – were provided with valuable guidance and resources directed at identifying and preventing outside attempts to manipulate matches and compromise results.
The prevention-oriented programme which will now be incorporated into the team arrival meetings held for each nation and club team before every CONCACAF championship, delineates key points of the battle against manipulation in sport, including how to identify and deal with potential match fixers.
At the Women’s Under-20 Championship in January, CONCACAF Director of Sports Integrity Dr Laila Mintas addressed all eight teams, explaining the perils of falling into league with match fixers. While criminals intent on match manipulation have sometimes gotten away with their crimes in the past, implicated players worldwide have faced harsh penalties including fines, bans, and even imprisonment.
“Every player and every official that is part of the football family has the responsibility to help keep football clean from any negative impact,” said Webb. “The goal of this initiative is to enlist our players, coaches and officials as allies in the fight against illicit activities.”
The new, pre-tournament integrity process guides players, coaches and officials in grasping the threat of match fixing – defined as any act influencing the course or result of a match, contrary to sporting ethics. To that end, the program reinforces regulations which outlaw betting on football matches by players and officials, as well as forbidding the communication of sensitive inside information to anyone outside the club, CONCACAF stated in a release.
Players, coaches and officials in the regionare also informed of their own responsibility to immediately report to CONCACAF’s Sports Integrity Department any activities related to match fixing or manipulation. The full program brochures can be found by visiting the CONCACAF website
http://issuu.com/concacaf2013/docs/sports_integrity_-_eng
Additionally, and along with players and officials, anyone with information on match-fixing activity may report anonymously to Integrity@CONCACAF.org.
Commonwealth Day Message
In July this year, the opening of the 20th Commonwealth Games will be marked by the arrival in Glasgow of the baton that started its journey from Buckingham Palace five months ago.
Many of us are following closelythe news of the baton relay as it passes through the 70 countries and territories whose teams will gather for the Games.
The images bring vividly to life what we mean by the Commonwealth family: it is wonderful to see the warmth, shared endeavour and goodwill as the baton is passed through the hands of many thousands of people.
Affinities of history and inheritance from the past are strong, yet we are bound together by a sense that the Commonwealth is a powerful influence of good for the future. People of all ages from different cultures are weaving an ever-growing network of links which connect us in our diversity and our common purpose. It is this unity that is expressed in this year's theme: 'Team Commonwealth'.
While national teams will be concentrating on the competition in August, Team Commonwealth will have a longer focus, working together to achieve a more enduring success.
Experiences of life differ widely throughout the Commonwealth, and we each make contributions from sometimes very different viewpoints. But we are committed to the same goals. Together we offer each other encouragement and draw strength from this mutual support.
The understanding that we belong together, and are able, through teamwork, to achieve far more than we could do alone, has always been at the heart of our approach. For all of us this is now captured in the Commonwealth Charter which sets out the values and principles which guide and motivate us.
This year, more children and young people are participating in Commonwealth Day celebrations. Advances in technology enable us to reach a greater number of young people in schools, on-line using the 'Commonwealth Class' initiative, and through events in local communities where the Commonwealth flag is being raised.
I am delighted that in this, the year of 'Team Commonwealth', we will be working to build a brighter, united future in which every one of us can play a part and share in its rewards.
Cayman Pirates win touch ruggerfest
(CRFU): The Cayman Pirates left these shores last weekend in search of gold and glory and found both with an outstanding win in the Fort Lauderdale Ruggerfest Touch Tournament 2014. This merry band of 12 marauders beat all-comers and played some fast and furious Touch, a game similar to Rugby League in that each team get six attempts to move the ball up the field and score a try. It is a game for fast hands, fast feet and quick thinking and the Cayman Pirates had all of these a-plenty.
Sponsored by Trident Trust and captained by Morgan Shelver this team has been working hard on the training paddock and it all paid off as they went through the tournament undefeated. Playing against teams from Orlando, West Palm Beach and Fort Lauderdale, the Cayman Pirates showed that when itcomes to pillaging and plundering tries then the real Captain Morgan would have been proud of Cayman’s 2014 version.
In their first game, Cayman gave Orlando a lesson in how to move, switch and score winning 7-3. Tries were spread out across the team sending a message to forthcoming opponents that this team was like a multi-headed serpent striking from anywhere on the pitch.
Next up was Fort Lauderdale who offered a greater challenge and threatened Cayman on several occasions but it was Riley Mullen, Cayman’s own little Billy Whizz that started to show a clean pair of heels to the opposition. He scored three of Cayman’s tries in an ill-tempered affair, eventually running out 4-1 winners.
Game 3 saw West Palm Beach offer the stiffest challenge to the Pirates. It was Captain Morgan who led from the front in this one as he rallied his troops. He scored two tries as did Neal Ainscow, with Riley Mullen adding a fifth. But it was great defence by the whole team that gained the win – 5-3.
Undefeated, the Cayman Pirates headed into the semi-final where they cruised to an easy win over Orlando. Mullen, feasting on the carcass of an Orlando defence, he gobbled up 5 tries all by himself and secured a place in the Final. Some of his most delicious tries were served up on a plate by fine passing and handling by Shelver, Marc Randall and Brandon Smith.
And so to the Grand Final. Captain Morgan and his Pirates would have liked to take a long easy walk all over West Palm Beach but nothing could be further from the truth. The Beach put up a fine performance and by full time the scores were tied at 4-4. Mullen had weighed in with a brace in the first half along with one from Nic Swartz. Brad Stephenson added a fourth in the second half but West Palm Beach would not lie down. It was into sudden-death overtime and a case of who could hold their nerve. On this day, it was the Cayman Pirates.
Their first attack was squashed but their defence held strong as West Palm assaulted the barricades. As Cayman moved the ball left and right it appeared that their next attack would falter until Neal Ainscow saw a gap and like a greasy rat up a drainpipe he slipped through to score the winner. The large crowd cheered and Cayman celebrated as Fort Lauderdale Ruggerfest Touch Champions 2014.
Riley Mullen was rightly crowned Most Valuable Player of the tournament but he would be the first to agree that Touch is a team game and that the whole squad was vital for the victory.
Tour Organizer ChandraFriesen said, “Touch is one of the fastest growing team sports in Cayman and we loved the chance to experience playing other teams from overseas. It was a challenge which we enjoyed and bringing back the trophy is even better!”
Full Squad – Morgan Shelver (cpt), Neal Ainscow, Marc Randall, Nic Swartz, Richie Gordon, Brad Stephenson, Riley Mullen, Brandon Smith, Guy Major, Chandra Friesen, Jax McCarty, Evelyn Ritch.
Academy outlast competitors in U12 Rally
(CIFA): Academy Sports Club outlasts six other teams to win the Cayman Islands Football Association Under 12 Rally at the T.E Mcfield Sports Complex. At the end of the day long competition and six grueling games Academy topped the standings with 16 points from five wins and one draw. Over 100 players participated in the 22 games tournament, in which 43 goals were scored. Bruce Blake, Vice President of the Cayman Islands Football Association (left) congratulated the Academy Sports Club and urged the clubs to continue investing time and resources to their youth teams.
“The passion and knowledge of the game shown by the youth participating in the competition is refreshing., he said, adding that the Under 12 rally provided a glimpse into the future of Cayman football and from CIFA’s perspective we are excited about what the future holds. “The clubs have to work with the Association to ensure the next generation of footballers are properly nurtured and prepared to play their role in the future of the beautiful game.”
The Under 12 rally showed the youth programmes of seven local clubs, Academy, Sunset, Scholars International, Cayman Athletic, George Town, Future and Tigers.
CIFA has another rally scheduled for later on this year.
National touch champs start with a bang
(CRFU): The National Touch Rugby Championships 2014 started in earnest with six teams entering this year and it promises to be the highest standard of Touch played here in Cayman. Similar to Rugby League in that each team get six attempts to move the ball up the field and score a try. The opposition, instead of tackling the ball carrier, simply makes a “touch” to halt that phase of play. If the team in possession cannot score within their six allocated “touches” the ball is turned over to the opposition.
It is the simplicity of the game mixed with the speed of ball-in-hand and fast pace that makes it so attractive to guys and girls. Playing in mixed teams, each team has a roster of 14 players but only six (three men, three women) can be on the pitch at any one time.
The stand-out game was the mouthwatering clash between two teams who have ascended to the top of Touch in this country in recent times. SteppingStones against Island Air always gets the pulse racing in anticipation of a great spectacle of sport and they didn’t disappoint. It was SteppingStones who drew first blood with a dominant first-half performance.
Out of the blocks faster than Speedy Gonzalez hopped up on a heady cocktail of Red Bull, rocket fuel and Ritalin the ‘Stones caught Island Air cold. Early scores for Simon Raftopolous, Rudolf Weder, and Chris Brussow rocked the “Fly Boys” who were missing some key play-makers in the first half. If Island Air wants to be the Top Gun in this Division then they are going to need to get up to Mach 1 quicker than they did in this game. Shorn of numbers through injury and absence they were shot down by the blitz attack from SteppingStones.
Weder was lightning quick, Brussow “elusivity” personified, and Raftopolous side-stepped so often that I doubt even he knew which way he was going – more importantly though, neither did the defenders. When Jax McCarty made it 5-1 at the half all the pre-game hype seemed a little over blown. Enter Neil “Iceman” Ainscow.
Like a thinner and less good looking version of Val Kilmer, Iceman got the wrong kick-off time but did much to turn round his team’s fortunes. Island Air started to soar through their elaborate manoeuvres and Nic “Maverick” Swartz got one back, followed by two quick touchdowns from Chandra “Cougar” Friesen. As spirited as the comeback was,
SteppingStones were confident that they could score enough to seal the victory. Raftopolous and Brussow added to their personal tally and the solar-powered Morgan Shelver, often the driving force behind the team, scored to make it a South African whitewash on the scoresheet. Kramer “Wolfman” Bell finished the game off with a fine solo effort. It was an 8-5 win to SteppingStones. Island Air’s Captain, Brad “Goose” Stephenson, had to admit that, on this occasion, his goose was well and truly cooked. If he can take anything away from this first outing it must be that Island Air won the second half. Perhaps he should send The Iceman a reminder to get to the game on time next week!
The undercard to this main match saw Heineken Brew Crew defeat KPMG 7-1. Heineken are traditionally a mix of old and new, of experience and youth and, against a very-raw KPMG team, they barely needed to get out of second gear. Big Phill Thompson, large of frame and long of gait, scored a hat-trick of tries whilst the Wild Westin boys, Eddie and Mark, each weighed in with one a-piece. Lisa Kehoe, in her four hundredth touch season must have supped from the Fountain of Youth many years ago asshe continued to bewitch and bedazzle the defence with a series of side-steps, swivels and show-and-go’s. Her try just after half-time was fine reward for her efforts. She probably went for an eleven mile run just to warm down.
The other try was scored by Alex Pineau, a fearsome lion on the pitch, but purring pussycat off it. Kevin Brett scored for KPMG who battled hard to the end. Many of their players are new to the game and this season will be a baptism of fire to them. They are largely drawn from staff at the eponymous accountancy firm and it’s great to have new people involved.
The last game of the day saw a battle royal between Maples and Maples Reserves – an interesting rivalry between two teams that may look similar in name but were far from similar on the pitch. Maples played a solid game and had a large amount of possession but Maples Reserves got 17 lucky breakaway tries to win the match 17-1. In truth, the somewhat-ironically named “Reserves” had flair, finesse, speed and stamina and simply blew away Maples. They boast a strong roster of established players from the Cayman Leagues but it was new recruit Jane Hyde-Smith who was the stand-out player. New to the island, it is reported that Hyde-Smith represented Australia at Touch and her class with ball-in-hand was evident from the go-get. Soft hands allowed for subtle passes and she was pivotal in much of the Reserves better moments. Ably supported by the elfin-like Riley Mullen, the ‘Reserves seemed to score every time they got the ball and Mullen tallied up a generous seven tries.
The score line may look harsh at first glance but Maples will be glad they have got their kick-off technique down to a fine art (very few teams get THAT much practice) and can now concentrate on other aspects of their game such as defence and attack. They showed real intestinal fortitude to keep going and crossed the line several times only to be thwarted by a desperate last-ditch “touch” from a defender.
Eventually Paul “Barrel” Johnson opened the account for Maples and the Reserves feared a comeback of epic proportions. Sadly none came. Maples can and will have better days. Maples Reserves have plenty in the tank and could be the dark horses in this year’s Championships – perhaps they would have been better named as Maples’ Mercenaries?
Sports department urges women to play
(CNS): As part of the Women’s Month celebrations government officials in the department of sports are urging more women and girls playing sports as part of a focus on inspiring change. As part of the initiative the department has organized an evening of squash for players of all levels of experience at the South Sound Squash Club on Monday. There will also be a Netball Social at the Truman Bodden Sports Complex on Sunday 30 March. Cayman Brac has also planned a clinic for netball players on 13-14 March and throughout the month the Netball Association, the Basketball Association and the Cricket Women’s League will continue with scheduled matches.
The squash event will take place on 10 March, from 5.45-8.00pm. A professional squash player will be present. In addition the club is offering a March special of three months for KYD120 and a fourth month free.
Cayman Brac’s two-day clinic takes place on 13-14 March at the Layman Scott High School. From 5.45-8.00pm. Later in the month past and present netball players aged 45 or older are invited to an Oldies Netball Social at the Truman Bodden Sports Complex on Sunday 30 March from 6.45-8.00 pm.
Netball also akes place Thursdays and Saturdays at the Truman Bodden Sports Complex from 6.45.-8.00pm. Basketball matches are scheduled for Thursdays at ARC, Camana Bay from 6.15pm. Meanwhile cricket matches are Sundays, at Sir John A. Cumber Primary School from 2.00pm.
For more information contact Merta Day at 926-9161 or email merta.day@gov.ky.