Workforce Opportunities and Residency Cayman has responded to concerns over the granting of a work permit to Jamaican murder suspect Ashley Williams, saying the woman had a clean police record when her application was submitted.
However, WORC, in a statement this week, said it acted swiftly when Jamaican authorities reported that Williams was being sought by police on criminal charges and, after they were able to confirm her identity she was escorted back to her home country.
Williams, a resident of Denham Town, arrived in Grand Cayman on 1 Jan. 2023 and was returned to Jamaica under the escort of two RCIPS officers four days later.
She is currently facing murder charges connected to the death of 47-year-old David Rowe, of Jones Town, Radio Jamaica has reported. A second suspect, 22-year-old Jovanie Thompson, has also been charged in the case.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Border Control Chris Saunders commended those involved in removing Williams from Cayman.
“I am proud of the swift and strategic action taken by WORC and CBC in collaboration with RCIPS and the Jamaican authorities. We must take a very strong stance and clearly demonstrate that the Cayman Islands does not welcome or provide a safe haven for individuals absconding from the law in their home countries. We will continue to ensure that the Cayman Islands remain one of the best and safest places to live and work,” Saunders said.
How the deportation unfolded
In explaining how Williams ended up being granted a permit, WORC said a Caymanian small-business owner had applied for a temporary work permit for Williams on 15 Dec. 2022.
At the time, Williams had a clean police record and the permit was approved on 28 Dec., WORC said.
Jamaican authorities, it said, had initially contacted CBC on 2 Jan. 2023 with an arrest warrant for the person, who went by a particular nickname. No full name was provided at the initial point of contact.
“The Jamaican authorities reached back out to CBC on 3 January and provided the full name of the suspect. CBC then contacted WORC and issued an advisory with the full name of the wanted person and immediate action was taken to revoke the temporary work permit,” WORC said in the statement.
The Caymanian employer holding the temporary work permit, it added, also decided to formally cancel the application on 3 Jan. preceding the suspect’s detention and removal from the island within 24 hours of her arrest.
Jeremy Scott, WORC acting interim director, said WORC and CBC remain “focused and resolute in effectively strengthening our border protection measures, ultimately protecting our community against risks associated with national security and public safety interests”.
He said the departments continue to work effectively on varying strategic and operational initiatives, inclusive of those of other local law enforcement and government departments.
“This case was just one example demonstrating our effective networking ties which permitted us to respond and act quickly upon confirmation of the suspect’s identity, facilitated by Jamaican authorities,” he added.
The statement added that WORC and CBC will continue to work together to ensure that individuals fleeing criminal prosecution do not enter or remain in the Cayman Islands.
Related Videos
