Cayman News
Cayman News's Latest Posts
Officer faces contempt charge after taking ‘sickie’
(CNS): A detective constable in the RCIPS who failed to appear in court last month, despite being a crucial witness, because he was on sick leave, is now facing contempt charges. DC Winston Harrison failed to show up for a Summary Court hearing on 30 July because his senior officer said he was unwell. However, the cop was spotted by the defense attorney in the case just two days later hobbling on a crutch into another courtroom to attend a civil private family matter. Concerned about the officer's failure to show in his client's case, Peter Polack requested that the magistrate bind the cop over. As a result, the officer has been summoned to answer a contempt of court charge.
DC Harrison was the lead officer in the summary case in question and the arrest of Andre Woodman on drug charges in 2013 but failed to appear for what described as "a crucial hearing”. But once Polack saw the cop limping to civil court just two days after he had failed to attend the criminal hearing, the lawyer raised his concerns. The magistrate made an order for the cop to be bound over to appear in Summary Court on 4 September to deal with the contempt allegation.
Harrison is already the subject of questionable behaviour in this particular case as Polack has complained that the warrant in the case had been "obtained in an unusual and unlawful manner", which had fallen short of the new standards surrounding warrants and JPs.
Football tournaments benefit the community
(CNS): The director of Cayman Islands National Football teams has said that the opportunities being provided by the regional football body go way beyond the goal count and competition on the pitch. Renard Moxam said tournaments held here provide great opportunities for young sports men and woman, improve standards for players, the pride for Caymanians in hosting international events as well as the benefits to the economy. As he oversees the preparations for the CONCACAF Girls U-15 tournament, which kicks off on 6 August and will take place on Grand Cayman and Cayman Brac, the local football director said winning would be great but it's not all that matters.
While he acknowledged that watching a local team become victorious is the ultimate goal, Moxam said success is not only be measured by winning.
“The wins and loss column is an important barometer that is looked at by most, but equally looking at the bigger picture,” he stated. “The larger goal is to make a major contribution towards the molding of young people in a positive manner and towards them becoming better athletes and better people, who will hopefully take future roles in the positive development of society.”
Moxam explained that these type of competitions provide an opportunity for Cayman players to learn how to perform under pressure as part of a team. "A vital skill that should benefit future generations of Caymanians whether at work, school or play," he added.
As well as the economic benefits the director said another key benefit to the local community is the pride felt by hosting international events of this magnitude. In the last year the Cayman Islands has successfully hosted the inaugural Boys’ U-15 Championship in August 2013, the first ever CONCACAF Sports Summit and the Women’s’ U-20 Championship in January 2014.
Having been involved in local football for more than three decades in several capacities, Moxam expressed great pride in Cayman’s track record as a host of regional football competitions and faith that the local organisers will deliver another world-class competition. “The Cayman Islands will be seen as a fantastic host country, wherein the true Caymanian spirit will come to the forefront and from a sporting stand point, that our country is seen as a viable challenger in future tournaments," he said.
The CONCACAF Girls’ Under 15 Championship will be held at four venues. The Truman Bodden Sports Complex, T.E. McField Sports Centre, Ed Bush Sports Centre
and Cayman Brac Sports Field.
Group A: Cayman Islands, Curacao, Bahamas, British Virgin Islands
Group B: Honduras, Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, Bermuda
Group C: Jamaica, Costa Rica, Anguilla, Belize
Group D: Canada, Haiti, Cuba, Puerto Rico
Teens arrested for Brac booze break-in
(CNS): Police officers on Cayman Brac arrested two 17 year old males on Tuesday on suspicion of burglary/handling stolen goods. After the arrests, several properties were searched on the Brac by police with the assistance of customs and officers from the Special Constabulary, which resulted in the recovery of a large quantity of liquor suspected to be stolen from Coral Isle Bar last Tuesday 29 July, when the rear glass door of the premises was damaged and a number of rum and whiskey bottles were taken. Chief Inspector Owens said, “Again I would like to thank the public for the information supplied to the police and our government partner agencies for their excellent support.” **Update inside**
Update: The two 17 year old males arrested have been charged with Burglary and Handling Stolen Goods in relation to the break in at Coral Isle Bar. They will be appearing in Court Today.
CAL celebrates 46 years with discount airfares
(CNS): Cayman Airways Limited (CAL) is offering heavy discounts on airfares as the company celebrates 46 years of service as the National Flag Carrier. Airfares are now on sale for travel from 10 September through 5 November this year but the flights must be booked by this Saturday, 9 August. On domestic and regional routes, sale fares start from just CI$38 each way for travel between Grand Cayman and the Sister Islands. Kingston and Montego Bay airfares are discounted down to just CI$68 each way, and Havana and La Ceiba airfares start from only CI$70 each way. Airfares are also on sale for travel this autumn between Grand Cayman and Miami, Tampa and New York (JFK).
Government and airport taxes and fees are additional for all quoted sale fares, and some conditions apply. Quoted fares are based on roundtrip purchase.
For details and to book any of the domestic, regional, or USA sale fares, customers can call Cayman Airways reservations on 949-2311, book online at caymanairways.com, or contact a local travel agent.
As part of the 46th anniversary celebrations, Cayman Airways will also host its annual Customer Appreciation Day at its ticket offices on all three islands on Thursday 7 August, which is the airline’s official anniversary date. Walk-in customers who purchase any of the sale fares on that day will receive giveaways and be entered to win the grand prize of a roundtrip ticket to any Cayman Airways destination. Second prize is 4,600 Sir Turtle Rewards miles, and third prize is 460 Sir Turtle Rewards miles.
Passengers travelling on 7 August will also be treated to raffles aboard all flights operating that day, with some lucky passengers winning a variety of prizes compliments of Cayman Turtle Farm and various industry partners.
Cayman Airways President and CEO, Fabian Whorms, said the board, management, and staff at the airline are extremely grateful to have such a loyal customer base. “These sale fares and activities are our way of showing our appreciation for customers’ commitment to Cayman Airways,” he said. “As we mark our 46th year in service, we look forward to serving our community for many more years to come.”
Judge warns young woman over dangers of Ecstasy
(CNS): Allegations of rape and sexual assault made by a young woman against her step-father after an alcohol and Ecstasy fueled night were thrown out of court last week as result of insufficient and discredited evidence. The young women admitted voluntarily taking the drug and drinking alcohol with her step-father when her mother was away but claims she passed out and woke wearing no underwear, a hickey on her neck and feeling discomfort. However, with little evidence to support her allegations and various inconsistencies in her story, Justice Charles Quin said there was not enough evidence to support a conviction in what he described as a "particularly sad case".
The court had heard that the young woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons but who was over the age of consent at the time of the alleged rape, had been using drugs since she was 15. On the night of the alleged incident she had voluntarily consumed alcohol and taken Ecstasy, or 'mollie' as the drug is known on the street, having planned and agreed to do so some weeks earlier with her step-father.
The young womanhad admitted during her evidence that she had no memory of the sexual assault or the rape and had assumed her step-father had sex with her as she said she passed out but he had implied they had the next morning.
In his ruling in response to a 'no case to answer' submission by defense counsel, Fiona Robertson, the judge noted how upsetting the entire case was for the family involved but said there was not enough evidence against the defendant as he returned a not guilty verdict on the two counts.
Noting the young woman's continued use of ganja and her experimentation with other drugs, however, Justice Quin warned that she would face more trouble ahead.
"What is particularly sad is that the complainant has beenusing ganja since the age of 15 years old and she has become a frequent user of this illegal drug. I take this opportunity to warn the complainant that if she continues to take ganja and experiment with drugs such as Ecstasy, more trouble is inevitable for her," he added.
The judge made a point of noting that the collapse of the crown's case was not a reflection on either the police officer who carried out the investigation or the crown counsel who prosecuted the case.
College boss donates cash to new campaign
(CNS): Dr David Marshall, the president of the International College of the Cayman Islands (ICCI), has donated CI$10,000 to kick off the college’s upcoming campaign to raise cash for more technology resources in the classroom. He is hoping that his contribution will encourage the alumni to dig deep and help him create work-ready students for Cayman's economy. Since taking up the college's top job in March, Marshall has been on a crusade to get the ICCI graduates from college into employment. He has raised admissions criteria, encouraged more rigorous academics, increased graduation requirements, and provided additional supports for academically struggling students.
Marshall says Cayman’s future economy will need more citizens with globally competitive portfolios.
“The new jobs coming to Cayman will require a workforce with outstanding critical thinking skills, excellent communication skills, and exceptional competencies in maths, technology, science, and engineering. There is no other way to produce this workforce other thangetting more young people to complete college with the skills employers need.”
The ICCI community-wide fundraising campaign officially kicks off later this month with a meeting of ICCI alumni.
“This meeting on August 17 is a real heart-to-heart with the scores of alumni out there who have done well. It is now time for them to reach back and provide opportunities for current students through donations to improve teaching and learning and to provide scholarships,” Marshall said.
While the ICCI board of trustees has matched Marshall’s donation with a promise of more to come he says the college needs more.
“I think people have to put their money where the mouth is,” he said. “It’s not enough to say you support the education of young people. I think you have to show that support by digging in your wallet personally to make sure young people have a chance to get where you are. Corporate donations are great, but when it gets down to it, individuals on the island also should be making personal contributions to higher education causes.”
Marshall’s donation follows his earlier contributions this year of CI$1,000 to ICCI’s scholarship fund and another CI$1,000 donation provided by some friends in the US. He says he personally will be making calls to companies and individuals in Cayman in the weeks to come for help.
“These are the country’s future leaders; they deserve the best," Marshall added.
SHS aims to find students’ passion in tourism
(CNS Business): Marc Langevin, the GM of the Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman and a member of the School of Hospitality Studies Advisory Council, said he was very confident that a student who goes through the new hospitality programme, establishes relationships within the industry and demonstrates they have the right character will have no problem finding a job. The deadline to apply is this Friday. Watch video on CNS Business
Fire crews still tackling latest GT dump blaze
(CNS) Updated: Although officials from the fire service have said that the latest blaze burning on the George Town dump is under control, fire crews have remained on the scene since Sunday morning when they were first called to the fire. A spokesperson for the service said that crews are continuing to apply water to a few remaining hot spots and at this point the cause of the fire is still not known, though it is understood to be in the main part of the landfill. Fire crews were dispatched to work on the blaze at the dump on Sunday after they received the call from 911 just after 9am. When they arrived at the dump officers found a surface fire roughly 75 by 80 feet.
No formal steps by CIG on turtle meat for tourists
(CNS Business): World Animal Protection representative Neil D’Cruze, who was on Grand Cayman last week to meet with the Cayman Islands government, said that they were disappointed that they were not able to come to any formal agreement with CIG regarding the selling of sea turtle meat to tourists. However, he said some key restaurateurs indicated that they would be willing to stop putting turtle on the menu. Watch video on CNS Business
Hospitality school graduates will be job ready
(CNS Business): The Cayman Islands School of Hospitality Studies will launch in September with its first group of 25 students. Applications are still being accepted for the programme, designed for people between the ages of 17 and 23. The deadline to apply is Friday 8 August and successful candidates to the programme must be Caymanian, have four CXC passes and the right attitude. Watch the video on CNS Business