An American who came to Cayman looking for a job ended up in Summary Court last week and pleaded guilty to overstaying.
According to details of the charge, Rodney Dale Cain of Missouri USA was found on Seven Mile Beach in the vicinity of the West Bay Fire Station on 21 September when his authorisation to stay here had expired on 12 May.
‘I take it you like the island,’ Magistrate Margaret Ramsay-Hale commented after the plea.
Cain, 36, agreed. He said he had come here to work and was not aware that he needed a work permit.
He also agreed he had been living on the beach. The magistrate considered the case to be most extraordinary. ‘I’m just wondering how you managed to live on the beach for so many months and you don’t appear any worse for wear,’ she said.
Cain said he had worked previously as a computer programmer. The magistrate again indicated she found the matter incredible. ‘You’re trained in one of the most sought-after professions of the day,’ she told him.
She indicated that the offence was serious because when officials don’t know who is present in the jurisdiction, it leads to instability.
Cain was asked if he had a return ticket. He said he did, but it expired so he threw it away. But, he assured the court, he was capable of getting another ticket.
An Immigration officer in court advised that the defendant had a friend on the island.
In considering sentence, the magistrate said there could be no question of a fine, since Cain appeared not to have any money and she could not fine the friend.
She did not want to put Cain in prison because he would be a drain on the resources of the state.
She therefore imposed a term of three days and asked the officer present to ensure that he departed within that time and remain in custody until then.
The magistrate congratulated the officers in the case.
According to a summary of facts, Marine Enforcement Officers made certain observations and passed them on to the Immigration Department.
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