Topic: Valdis Foldats
Inside story: Homeless prisoners locked up with nowhere to go
Multiple criminal suspects, including some with mental health challenges, are being kept in prison for lengthy periods rather than being bailed or given community sentences because they are homeless.
Hernandez appointed chief magistrate as Foldats retires
Chief Magistrate Valdis Foldats, who has served Cayman's Summary Court for 18 years, retired on Friday. Angelyn Hernandez has been appointed as his successor.
Foldats appointed as chief magistrate
Governor Martyn Roper announced Tuesday that Valdis Foldats will take over as chief magistrate in Cayman on 1 Feb., following the retirement of Nova Hall.
EDITORIAL – Toward a more efficient system of justice
When it comes to parties and banquets, it can be perfectly acceptable to arrive ‘fashionably late’. In other situations, there is no latitude for delays. This applies to spaceship launches, New Year’s countdowns – and courtroom procedures.
Aggravated burglary goes to Grand Court
Presley Charles Whittaker, 35, was charged with entering a premises on Old Robin Road in North Side with intent to steal and, at the time of entering, had in his possession an offensive weapon – namely, a machete.
Man remanded for resort burglary
A man charged with burglary at an East End resort told Magistrate Valdis Foldats late Friday that he would wait for an attorney to apply for bail on his behalf. Donald Arlington Miller, previously known as Donald Arlington Hall, is accused of entering a guest’s room at Morritt’s Tortuga Resort.
Suspended sentence for taking turtle
Magistrate Valdis Foldats handed down an eight-month prison term, suspended for two years, and 120 hours of community service to a fisherman who illegally took a turtle from Cayman waters.
Grandfather hit boy repeatedly with belt
A grandfather who admitted to hitting a 6-year-old boy with a belt had no conviction recorded against him after Magistrate Valdis Foldats heard details of the case.
Female defendant suffered ‘revenge porn’
A female defendant had no conviction recorded against her for damaging her ex-boyfriend’s car after Magistrate Valdis Foldats heard that she had been the victim of “revenge porn” before she committed the offense.
Man charged with animal cruelty
Trial has been set in January for a man facing charges of common assault; damage to property; causing harassment, alarm or distress; and cruelty to animals. Ezekiel Nelson Carter pleaded not guilty in July.
Magistrate notes ‘displeasure’ with Crown in drug case
Three men in custody on charges of importing ganja were brought to court on Tuesday, when Magistrate Valdis Foldats expressed frustration that no progress could be made with the case.
CCTV catches woman’s attacker
Private sector and government CCTV helped police identify and prosecute a man who was sentenced this week to four years’ imprisonment for indecently assaulting a woman to whom he had offered a ride home.
Sixteen months for ganja in child’s diaper
A woman who admitted carrying ganja to Northward Prison in her child’s diaper was sentenced on Monday to 16 months’ imprisonment. With half-credit for time on curfew and electronic monitor, defendant Daniella Tibbetts is to serve 13 and a half months, Magistrate Valdis Foldats told her.
‘I’ve never seen a charge like this’: Kite damaged police helicopter, Crown says
“I’ve never seen a charge like this,” Magistrate Valdis Foldats told defendant Bruce Kevin Ebanks in Summary Court on Tuesday.
Man banned from licensed premises for throwing bottle
A man who admitted throwing a bottle that hit a person on the head in a bar has been prohibited from entering any liquor-licensed premises for the next year. Ricky Manderson Jr., 30, pleaded guilty to a charge of wounding earlier this year.
‘Send me to Northward’: Man chooses jail over rehab
A man who pleaded guilty to possession and consumption of ganja chose to go to prison instead of receiving treatment or counseling. Hartwell Delmore Ebanks told Magistrate Valdis Foldats: “Send me to Northward. Make me do my little time and come out.”
A day in Mental Health Court
Sixteen defendants attended a recent session of the informal Mental Health Court, which is held on a monthly basis. All have been in the court before. At the next court sitting, almost all were expected to return.
No conviction recorded for teacher in chair assault case
A primary school teacher who pushed a chair that hit a student broke down in tears Thursday after Magistrate Valdis Foldats recorded no conviction on a common assault charge.
Court will not accept ‘vigilante behavior’
An East End man charged in connection with the recent vandalism of a police officer’s personal vehicle has received bail over the objections of a Cayman Islands Summary Court magistrate.
Bank employee stole $1,700 from till; repaid it after receiving salary
A bank teller who stole from his till and put the money back received a suspended sentence, but with strict conditions, Friday after pleading guilty to a charge of false accounting. Magistrate Valdis Foldats told defendant Rashad Hill that his offense was a breach of trust that would almost always be punished by a sentence of immediate imprisonment.
Webster Gross indecency charges to be heard in Grand Court
Four charges of gross indecency with a minor were sent to Grand Court on Tuesday, with defendant Errington Webster directed to return to the higher court on Sept. 30.
