Two rescued men charged

Two of the five men rescued from the sea by police last Friday appeared in Summary Court on Monday afternoon in Grand Cayman charged with illegal landing. 

They were identified as Xavier Shane Watson, 36, and Andy Ichard Bennett, 25. 

The charge sheets show Watson as being from an address in St. Mary Parish, Jamaica, while Bennett was said to be from Westmoreland. 

However, Crown Counsel Kenneth Ferguson told Chief Magistrate Nova Hall that authorities were trying to establish Bennett’s “true identity”. 

Mr. Ferguson and defence attorney John Furniss agreed that Watson had been in Cayman before. Mr. Furniss said Watson has children here and, on that basis, wondered if he could be bailed to reside with their mother. 

The magistrate did not look favourably on that suggestion, remanding both men in custody until Tuesday, 11 September. No other details were given in court. 

Both men were charged with landing in the Cayman Islands on 30 August without specific permission of an immigration officer. 

The men were with three Caymanians, who had previously been reported missing on 23 August. All five were in a canoe that was spotted early Friday, 31 August, about 150 yards off Frank Sound in Grand Cayman. The police marine unit responded and towed the vessel to shore; all five men were taken to the hospital for check-ups (Caymanian Compass, 31 August). 

Watson and Bennett were brought to court by immigration officials.