High of 82 Low of 72 Seas: Slight to moderate with wave heights of 2 to 4 feet becoming rough by evening with wave heights of 4 to 6 feet. Small craft should exercise caution over open water tonight. ABCDE NATIONAL WEEKLY Worst Week Marco Rubio 3 Politics Obama enters the 2016 fray 4 Food We just can’t give these up 17 5 Myths Ku Klux Klan 23 For an expectant mother with Zika, there is one overwhelming thought: ‘IS MY BABY OKAY?’ PAGE 12 THE WEEK OF SUNDAY, MARCH 20, 2016 . IN COLLABORATION WITH THE WASHINGTON POST Is my baby okay? EDITORIAL | PAGE 4 EZZARD VERSUS ‘THE JORDANIAN’ (AND FREE SPEECH) ESTABLISHED 1965 www.caymancompass.com – 50 CENTS – MONDAY MARCH 21, 2016 FOUR LOCATIONS TO SERVE YOU BETTER: SEVEN MILE BEACH, WATERFRONT, WALKERS ROAD, TOWN CENTRE PLAZA Police urge ban on illegal bike imports BRENT FULLER bfuller@pinnaclemedialtd.com Police officers who say they are being swamped with calls on nearly a daily basis about il- legally operated motorbikes are urging lawmakers to adopt a ban on the importation of such vehicles which cannot be regis- tered for on-road use. “Every single day, we’re get- ting complaints about these bikes on the road,” Royal Cayman Islands Police Chief Superintendent Kurt Walton said. “Why are we continuing to let these motorbikes into the country?” “They should be banned,” said RCIPS Deputy Commissioner Anthony Ennis. Street-legal bikes that are used on roads, particularly late at night, are not the bikes RCIPS commanders are suggesting be banned, despite complaints over the past 18 months from Grand Cayman residents about dis- turbing the peace. However, other bikers are using vehicles that cannot be licensed or insured, no matter their state of repair. If police do stop one of these vehicles, they are seized and impounded, ac- cording to Mr. Walton. Police reported this week that eight of the impounded ve- hicles were stolen from the lot behind the main George Town Police Station. Three of the vehi- cles were taken on Feb. 29. Five others were stolen sometime over the past weekend. RCIPS officers reported Wednesday that significant secu- rity changes are being made as a result of the thefts, including the extension of a fence surrounding BURGLARS CREEP INTO BOY’S BEDROOM, CHASED OFF BY DAD BRENT FULLER bfuller@pinnaclemedialtd.com For the second time this year, visitors on Grand Cayman’s North Side district have been the victims of a serious crime – the latest in- cident being a home invasion that occurred at 2:30 a.m. Saturday – while a father and son were sleeping. John Guelzow, of Golden, Colorado, was visiting his family’s vacation home on Rum Point Drive with his 12-year-old son for a few weeks when the break-in occurred. The family has a close connection to Cayman and has owned the property for about 15 years, Mr. Guelzow said. “At 2:30 a.m., my bedroom door creaked open,” Mr. Guelzow said. “I got up thinking the wind blew the door open. Then I saw move- ment outside of my door and two men … they were coming into my bedroom.” It appeared the two men, who he described as “large black men,” had already been in his son’s bedroom, Mr. Guelzow said. While the boy slept, they took his phone from a bedside table, a laptop computer, a stereo speaker, a Kindle, sunglasses and the boy’s clothes. “They took all his clothes,” Mr. Guelzow said. “They stole a 12-year-old boy’s clothes.” The boy slept through the whole thing. He was not injured in the incident, his dad confirmed. Impounded motorbikes, legal and illegal, are kept behind the RCIPS central police station. – PHOTO: MATT LAMERS PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 8 » Ariane Dart’s tea party Ariane Dart hosted her private annual tea party Friday afternoon. Funds raised from the event are donated to the National Gallery. Gallery Director Natalie Urquhart said about $36,000 was raised from the event last year and Friday’s party likely at least matched that amount. “This is achievable thanks to our host Ariane Dart, who un- derwrites the event, enabling all funds raised to go directly to the National Gallery of the Cayman Islands education, and of course [thanks] to our generous guests,” Ms. Urquhart said. “We be- lieve everyone should have ac- cess to free art education and cultural experiences.” Funds raised will help sup- port the gallery’s All Access project, the Sunrise Art Club (for the Sunrise Adult Learning Centre), weekly Family Art Fun hosted by the gallery and a se- ries of “pop up” art sessions across the districts.Ariane Dart hosted the event. Susan Olde, OBE, Amanda Clark, Governor Helen Kilpatrick and Denisia Groves. – PHOTOS: MELISSA WOLFE/ BETTER ANGLE PHOTOGRAPHY PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 5 »2 LOCAL NEWS MONDAY MARCH 21, 2016 • CAYMAN COMPASS LONG TERM RENTALS AT HARBOUR HEIGHTS 2BR/2BA CI$2,600 + utilities + 1 cleaning/wk. 4 separate units. Six to 8 months’ duration. Spectacular on SMB near Public Beach. No children. No pets. Month deposit required. Contact Paula/Shandy at 945-4295 Meals on Wheels gets massive donation MATT LAMERS mlamers@pinnaclemedialtd.com Cayman Islands Meals on Wheels was the ben- eficiary of more than a ton of food last Thursday, courtesy of the Cayman Islands Motorcycle Riders Association. It was the fifth year the bikers held their Wheels for Meals food drive. This year’s total came to 3,200 lbs of food. Beulah McField, execu- tive director of Meals on Wheels, said the food is needed now more than ever. “If you’re hungry, just feeding somebody is a big deal,” she said. “And that is part of being disenfran- chised. For instance, our se- niors, because they cannot go back into the work force, are definitely disen- franchised having to live off $550 a month. So food is a big deal for them, and it is for families in this kind of hardship.” The food will be distrib- uted to Meals on Wheels’s three kitchens in George Town, Bodden Town and East End, and directly to those who need it. Wheels for Meals vol- unteers collected the food last Saturday. A ride the following day in- volved 35 bikers. Keith Keller, president and founder of the Cayman Islands Motorcycle Riders Association, started Wheels for Meals five years ago, “because there’s a lot of people on this island who are starting to have prob- lems financially, especially seniors. They need as much help as they can get. There should be nobody here going without food. “Some of these se- niors are not leaving their house, so if someone doesn’t come and give them food, they’re going to go without,” he said. Ms. McField said some of the food is for seniors who live on as little as $550 a month, “so anything that we can do to assist them in making that go further is appreciated.” The food will also be delivered to those strug- gling to feed their fami- lies, she added. “My message to the bikers is ‘thank you, thank you, thank you,’ because it is so difficult to be the face out there that’s always asking, so it’s good when someone else is out there advocating for the cause as well.” “If you can give to the Meals on Wheels program, whether it be food, money or time, they can use all of it,” said Mr. Keller. Cayman Islands Meals on Wheels is hosting the Orange You Glad Gala on April 9 at the Marriott Hotel. Tickets are $150. Proceeds go directly to the charity organization. Four injured in George Town crash BRENT FULLER bfuller@pinnaclemedialtd.com Four people were hos- pitalized after an early Saturday morning crash in central George Town. According to police, the accident happened just before 3 a.m. on Bobby Thompson Way at John Greer Blvd. near the George Town cricket pitch. A Mercedes SUV and a Hyundai SUV collided head- on at the location, causing extensive damage and leaving pieces of the vehicles strewn across the street. Two women, age 45 and 32, and two men were taken to hos- pital as a result of the ac- cident. One man, a 28-year- old, was driving the Hyundai while a 40-year-old male was operating the Mercedes, po- lice said. One male victim’s inju- ries were described as se- rious, but the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service said it appeared he would sur- vive the crash. All other inju- ries were described as non- life threatening. There was no immediate word on what led to the accident. Bobby Thompson Way be- tween the Linford Pierson Highway and John Greer Blvd. was closed for several hours Saturday morning to allow for accident investiga- tion and clean-up. Keith Keller, president of the Cayman Islands Motorcycle Riders Association, unloads a donation of food to Meals on Wheels. Casey Keller and Keith Keller unload a donation of food for Cayman Islands Meals on Wheels. The Cayman Islands Motorcycle Riders Association collected more then 3,000 lbs of food for the charity last weekend. – PHOTOS: MATT LAMERS A Mercedes SUV and a Hyundai SUV plowed into each other early Saturday on Bobby Thompson Way sending four people to hospital. – PHOTO: BRENT FULLER Beulah McField, executive director of Cayman Islands Meals on Wheels, sorts food donated by the Cayman Motorcycle Riders Association. SATURDAY NIGHT: For your viewing pleasure, minors under the age of 18 will not be admitted to any film starting after 6pm, unless accompanied by their parent. © y x *Additional charges will apply per 3D ticket requested. - MONDAY - 10 CLOVERFIELD LANE (PG13) 12:50 I 3:20 I 7:10 I 10:00 THE OTHER SIDE OF THE DOOR (R) 1:15 I 3:40 I 7:30 I 10:10 ZOOTOPIA 3D (PG13) 12:30 I 1:00 2D I 3:00 I 3:30 2D I 5:30 I 7:15 2D I 8:00 I 9:45 2D ALLEGIANT - THE DIVERGENT SERIES (PG13) 1:10 I 4:10 I 7:00 I 9:50 LONDON HAS FALLEN (R) 1:20 I 4:00 I 7:20 I 9:40 Daily Matinees Every Day $8.00 Seniors, Mon-Fri Before 6pm Cayman Cinema@cbcinema6cbcinema6 640-FILM (640-3456)3 LOCAL NEWS CAYMAN COMPASS • MONDAY MARCH 21, 2016 Ex-MLA employee unfairly dismissed, Labour Tribunal finds BRENT FULLER bfuller@pinnaclemedialtd.com A former office worker for two George Town MLAs won a $2,632 award ear- lier this month for unfair dismissal from her job, ac- cording to documents ob- tained from Cayman’s Labour Tribunal. Christine Rae Smith said Wednesday, how- ever, that she has declined to cash the check and ac- cept the tribunal’s award because she believes she is owed more than $9,000 according to her em- ployment contract with MLAs Roy McTaggart and Winston Connolly. Ms. Smith was arrested in 2015 in connection with two robberies, one a home invasion attack at an apart- ment in Raleigh Quay on June 26, 2015 and another that occurred on July 10, 2015 at Elegant Nails & More in George Town. Ms. Smith, who is charged in connection with the nail salon incident, denies in- volvement in either crime. She has not been convicted in either case. “People that work for government, they get sus- pension with pay during an investigation,” Ms. Smith said Wednesday. “My em- ployers didn’t even con- tact me to find out what the story was [before dis- missing her].” Ms. Smith, as an em- ployee of the two MLAs, is not considered a civil servant under the Public Service Management Law, but a “political appointee” who may be terminated in accordance with less protective rules under Cayman’s Labour Law (2004 revision). Before the Labour Tribunal, attorney Michael Alberga, representing both MLAs, stated that his cli- ents had been “patient, considerate and generous” with Ms. Smith during the period after her Aug. 6, 2015 arrest in the Raleigh Quay robbery. Mr. McTaggart told the tribunal that he had tried to assist with providing childcare for Ms. Smith’s two children immediately following the arrest. Both Mr. McTaggart and Mr. Connolly said they tried to reach an agreement with Ms. Smith via their at- torney in late August 2015 that involved paying her more money than she ulti- mately was awarded by the Labour Tribunal. Both men said they were advised by attorneys that they could have simply dis- missed her outright fol- lowing her arrest, but that they tried to settle with her, albeit unsuccessfully. The MLAs and their at- torney were contacted for any further comments they wished to make prior to publication of this article. Neither lawmaker responded. “It’s not worth writing about,” Mr. Alberga said. According to details of the settlement negotiation laid out in the tribunal re- cords, a check for $3,582.64 was sent to Ms. Smith as part of the settlement offer, including salary and healthcare contributions due through Aug. 15, 2015. Ms. Smith said she did not accept this check and asked for one-month notice pay- ments, salary and pension contributions due through Sept. 17, 2015, which was the date a termination letter was sent to her. The reason stated for the termination was not Ms. Smith’s alleged in- volvement in any robbery, but that the independent George Town MLAs’ of- fice was being closed and she was being made re- dundant. Ms. Smith denied this was the “real reason” she was being fired. The tribunal ended up siding with Ms. Smith on the redundancy issue. “Had [Ms. Smith’s] ter- mination genuinely been by reason of redundancy, she would have been entitled to notice pay which … would have been 30 days [further payment],” the tribunal ruled. “Notice of pay was not in- cluded in the statement of compensation attached to [Ms. Smith’s] termination letter of Sept. 17, 2015.” The tribunal’s award to Ms. Smith consisted of four weeks’ pay, but did not add any additional salary pay- ments between Aug. 6 (the date of her arrest) and Sept. 17 (the date she was fired). “It is not possible to back date the termina- tion date in circumstances such as the above,” the tri- bunal ruled. Ms. Smith said she is continuing to press a case with the Department of Labour and Pensions in an attempt to receive further payments from her pre- vious employers. Mr. McTaggart told the tribunal that he had tried to assist with providing childcare for Ms. Smith’s two children immediately following the arrest. BRENT FULLER bfuller@pinnaclemedialtd.com After giving motor- ists “courtesy warnings” re- garding new speed limit signs around Grand Cayman, police will begin issuing tickets in the new lower speed zones. Last week, officers stopped cars on West Bay Road near the Governors Square complex, reminding drivers about the reduction in speed limits there from the previous 40 miles per hour to 25 miles per hour. Officers did not issue any tickets during the March 16 opera- tion, only warnings. “This first exercise was a courtesy,” RCIPS Sgt. Lenford Butler said. “We realize a 15 mile per hour change in that area is significant and drivers need to adjust to it.” Another enforcement area was Shamrock Road near Lantern Point condos in Prospect, where 13 traffic tickets were handed out in one morning for unlicensed and unregistered vehicles. In addition to the sharp drop in the speed limit on West Bay Road, the speed limit has been reduced on Austin Connolly Drive in East End between Morritt’s Tortuga and the Royal Reef Resort, going from 50 miles per hour to 35 miles per hour. Speed limits on sections of Crewe Road and Shamrock Road have been reduced from 40 mph to 30 mph. Some speed changes have posted higher limits as well. Certain roads in West Bay including North West Point Road, Town Hall Road and Batabano Road will allow drivers to go five miles per hour faster. Speed limits have also increased from 25 mph to 30 mph on Hirst Road in Savannah and on Anton Bodden Road. In George Town, speeds have increased from 25 mph to 35 mph on North Sound Road from Bobby Thompson Way to the Butterfield roundabout and on the Esterley Tibbetts connection to Willie Farrington Drive in West Bay. POLICE TO BEGIN TICKETING IN NEW LOWER SPEED ZONES Roy McTaggartWinston Connolly Last week, officers stopped cars on West Bay Road, reminding drivers about the reduction in speed limits there.The islands’ most-trusted news source 4 – EDITORIAL – Opinion&Letters The Cayman Compass welcomes comments, opinions and viewpoints from readers. Letters to the editor can be emailed to editor@pinnaclemedialtd.com, submitted via www.caymancompass.com, sent by post or hand-delivered to the Compass office. MONDAY MARCH 21, 2016 • CAYMAN COMPASS “I have my freedom to say my views about things. That’s the law of the Cayman Islands.” — Amjed Zureigat, AKA “The Jordanian” We, and we suspect, many others, don’t often find ourselves nodding our heads to the utterances of the eminently outspoken Mr. Zureigat (who regular talk radio listeners will recognize as “The Jordanian”). But when anybody defends their right to express their opinions, we take notice, listen carefully and almost always support them. North Side MLA Ezzard Miller, who penned two letters to government officials accusing Mr. Zureigat of engaging in “subversive political activity” contrary to Cayman law, seems in need of elucidation of some fun- damental underpinnings of his own country. First, “subversive political activity,” which under the Immigration Law is punishable by revocation of Cayman residence, does not have a clear legal definition. However, in 1978 U.K. Home Secretary Merlyn Rees gave the following loose description: “Subversive activi- ties are generally regarded as those which threaten the safety or well-being of the state, and which are intended to undermine or overthrow parliamentary democracy by political, industrial or violent means.” Now, nothing Mr. Zureigat has said or is accused of saying, to our knowledge, has ever come close to advocating for the overthrow of Cayman’s system of government. To the contrary, he is an ardent supporter of Opposition Leader McKeeva Bush and his Cayman Islands Democratic Party — and accordingly operates well within the bounds of Cayman’s political order and social discourse. Put another way, Mr. Zureigat has called for neither “bloodshed” nor “revolution” — two dangerous phe- nomena to which Mr. Miller himself has publicly alluded. Again, it is a rare occasion indeed when we are on the same side of an argument as Mr. Zureigat, and vice versa. Indeed, last summer when the government attempted to punish the Compass financially for an anti-corruption editorial we published, Mr. Zureigat’s voice was among the most strident and loudest in con- demning the newspaper and its publisher personally. Certainly we were less than pleased with his out- bursts, but we never disputed his inalienable right to utter them. The axiom bears repeating: Constitutional safe- guards for free speech exist in order to protect unpop- ular speech. Speech that is inoffensive, reflects the thoughts of the majority or mirrors the talking points of the powerful does not require such protections. The way we see it, when Mr. Miller accused Mr. Zureigat of breaking the law, he was engaging in bullying behavior that is unworthy of an elected official. The purpose of Mr. Miller’s letters appears to have been to get Mr. Zureigat “kicked out” of the country. The letters were not isolated events but two data points amid the contentious relationship between Mr. Miller and Mr. Zureigat, which has included barbs and criticisms launched on the radio, as well as a very public confrontation in a parking lot involving Mr. Miller and East End MLA Arden McLean, on the one hand, and Mr. Zureigat on the other. The police were called to calm things down. No charges were filed. Now we may not like a lot of what Mr. Zureigat says, and how he chooses to say it, but we can, and must, tolerate it. What we cannot do as a free democratic society is attempt to stifle it or, worse, silence it. Such intoler- ance cannot be tolerated. Ezzard versus ‘The Jordanian’ (and free speech) An air of menace about this campaign WASHINGTON – By interna- tional and historical stan- dards, political violence is exceedingly rare in the United States. The last se- rious outburst was 1968 with its bloody Democratic- convention riots. By that standard, 2016 is, as yet, tame. It may not remain so. The political thuggery that shut down a Donald Trump rally in Chicago last week may just be a harbinger. It would be nice, therefore, if we could think straight about cause and effect. The immediate conven- tional wisdom was to blame the disturbance on the “toxic climate” created by Trump. Nonsense. This was an act of deliberate sabotage created by a totalitarian left that specializes in the intimida- tion and silencing of polit- ical opponents. Its pedigree goes back to early 20th-century fascism and communism. Its more re- cent incarnation has been de- veloped on college campuses, where for years leftists have been taunting, disrupting and ultimately shutting down and shutting out conserva- tive speakers of every stripe – long before Donald Trump. The Chicago shutdown was a planned attack on free speech and free as- sembly. Hence the exul- tant chant of the protesters upon the announcement of the rally’s cancellation: “We stopped Trump.” It had all of the spontaneity of a beer- hall putsch. Given the people, the money and the groups (in- cluding MoveOn.org) behind Chicago, it is likely to be rep- licated, constituting a serious threat to a civilized politics. But there’s a second, quite separate form of thuggery threatening the 2016 cam- paign – a leading candidate who, with a wink and a nod (and sometimes less sub- tlety), is stoking anger and encouraging violence. This must be distin- guished from what happened in Chicago, where Trump was the victim and for which he is not responsible. But he is responsible for saying of a protester at his rally in Las Vegas that “I love the old days. You know what they used to do to guys like that ... ? They’d be carried out on a stretcher, folks.” He told another rally that if they see any protesters preparing to throw a to- mato, to “knock the crap out of them ... I promise you I will pay for the legal fees.” Referring in an interview to yet another protester, Trump said “maybe he should have been roughed up.” At the Vegas event, Trump had said, “I’d like to punch him in the face.” Well, in Fayetteville, N.C., one of his supporters did exactly that for him – sucker-punching in the face a protester being led away. The attacker is being charged with assault. Trump is not respon- sible for the assault. But he is responsible for refusing to condemn it. Asked about it, he dodged and weaved, searching for extenuation. “The man got carried away.” So what? If people who get carried away are allowed to sucker-punch others, we’d be living in a jungle. Trump said that it was obvious that the cold-cocker “obviously loves his country.” What is it about punching a demonstrator in the face that makes evident one’s patrio- tism? Particularly when the attacker said on television, “Next time we see him, we might have to kill him.” Whoa! That’s lynch talk. And rather than condemn that man, Trump said he would be instructing his people to look into paying his legal fees. This from the leader of the now strongest faction in the Republican Party, the man most likely to be the GOP nominee for president. And who, when asked on Wednesday about the pos- sibility of being denied the nomination at the convention if he’s way ahead in delegates but just short of a majority, said: “I think you’d have riots,” adding “I wouldn’t lead it but I think bad things would happen.” Is that incitement to riot? Legally, no. But you’d have to be a fool to miss the under- lying implication. There’s an air of division in the country. Fine. It’s hap- pened often in our history. Indeed, the whole point of politics is to identify, high- light, argue and ultimately adjudicate and accommodate such divisions. Politics is the civilized substitute for set- tling things the old-fashioned way – laying your opponent out on a stretcher. What is so disturbing today is that suffusing our politics is not just an air of division but an air of menace. It’s being fueled on both sides: one side through organized anti-free-speech agitation using Bolshevik tactics; the other side by verbal encouragement and threats of varying degrees of subtlety. They may feed off each other but they are of indepen- dent origin. And both are re- pugnant, both dangerous and both deserving of the most unreserved condemnation. Charles Krauthammer’s email address is letters@charleskrauthammer.com. © 2016, Washington Post Writers Group Charles KrauthammerKrauthammer PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY: Caymanian Compass Limited (a subsidiary of Pinnacle Media Ltd) Compass Centre Shedden Road, George Town SEND US YOUR VIEWS OR NEWS: P.O. Box 1365 Grand Cayman KY1-1108, Cayman Islands Telephone: (345) 815-0095 Email: newsdesk@pinnaclemedialtd.com ADVERTISE WITH US: Telephone: (345) 949-5111 Email: sales@pinnaclemedialtd.com Website: www.caymancompass.com PUBLISHERS DAVID R. LEGGE AND VICKI L. LEGGE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF DAVID R. LEGGE A MEMBER OF THE INTER-AMERICAN PRESS ASSOCIATION “Give light and the people will find their own way”The islands’ most-trusted news source 5 CAYMAN COMPASS • MONDAY MARCH 21, 2016 PremierHealth BRITISH CAYMANIAN INSURANCE AGENCIES LTD. BritCay House, 236 Eastern Avenue, George Town.Tel. 949-8699 12 Kirkconnell Street, Stake Bay, Cayman Brac. Tel. 948-1760 www.britcay.ky A member of Colonial Group International: insurance, health, pensions, life British Caymanian Insurance Agencies Ltd. acts solely as an agent on behalf of various insurers; it does not act as an insurance broker on behalf of its customers. You said you needed more choice when it matters most. You got network care first with BritCay. BritCay was first to offer an overseas network option in 1995. This ensures that you get access to world class facilities. At home, we have invested in solid partnerships with local providers. They are paid on time, claims are simple and you have easy access to benefits. It means your health plan is as convenient to use overseas as it is at home. CALL 949-8699 or visit www.britcay.ky cgigrp In 1984, BritCay joined Colonial Group International (CGI). In 1995, BritCay was the first company to offer Cayman residents an overseas network option with world class facilities. It was the first of many changes to come.notable firsts! the compound and 24/7 site monitoring by a police officer. CCTV cameras are trained on the backyard area of the po- lice station, but officials said those were not working when the dirt bikes were stolen. Mr. Ennis said most of the illegal bikes, dozens of which were still being stored at the police station as of Wednesday, are operated by teenagers, some of whom may not have a license to drive any motor vehicle. “When you have young people who are brazen enough to steal from a police station, it’s a major concern,” he said. Another difficulty for po- lice is in determining who is a legal bike operator and who is illegally using the road. Once a determination is made that the motorbike is being operated illegally, po- lice must decide whether to give chase. Police have been wary, generally, of pursuit since a 2013 Grand Court judgment by Justice Alex Henderson in relation to a 2008 police chase along West Bay Road that ended in the deaths of two men in the car that was being pursued. The family of Caymanian Bruce Lee Ebanks sued the driver of the vehicle being pursued by police, as well as the Cayman Islands govern- ment, over the fatal crash on Feb. 29, 2008. Mr. Ebanks and 21-year-old Sidney Myles, who were passengers in the car driven by then-19-year- old Alex Callan, died in the Friday night crash. Mr. Callan survived and was sentenced to four years’ imprisonment for causing death by dan- gerous driving. In late March 2013, Justice Henderson granted a judgment and costs in favor of Paulene Ebanks, the mother of Bruce Lee Ebanks. According to the judgment: “The accident was contrib- uted to, if not caused by, the speed at which Mr. Callan was driving. He was doing so because a police car was chasing him. Had the pursuit been terminated, it is more probable than not that Mr. Callan would have slowed down to a normal speed so as to avoid attracting further police attention. The negli- gent failure to end the pur- suit was one factor which contributed to the accident.” Mr. Walton said ban- ning the import of illegal dirt bikes would reduce the chance of such a tragedy re- sulting from a police chase in the future. Customs Collector Charles Clifford, whose department would be responsible for en- forcing such an import ban, said Thursday that it is up to Cabinet and the Legislative Assembly to make such an amendment to the Customs Law, if they desire. “The collector of customs does not have the authority to make such a decision [on his own],” Mr. Clifford said. Regulator wants stiff fines for telecoms CHARLES DUNCAN cduncan@pinnaclemedialtd.com Proposed changes to Cayman’s telecom regulations would significantly increase fines for phone, Internet and television companies from $25,000 to $500,000 for vio- lating rules or requirements in their licenses. The amend- ments would also add new fines of up to $25,000 a day for continued violations. The proposal for tougher penalties comes after nu- merous complaints last year to the Information and Communications Technology Authority about people not getting the Internet speeds they paid for. “The idea was to not only give the Authority more teeth to enforce regulations, but to do so in a manner that avoided having to pursue criminal prosecutions via the courts,” said ICTA Managing Director Alee Fa’amoe. “The fines we have proposed as a change to our Law will cover all manner of transgressions by licensees.” The amendments to the 2011 Information and Communications Technology Law were published in the government Gazette last week to be considered by the Legislative Assembly. Complaints last year made their way to the Legislative Assembly, and at the time, Mr. Fa’amoe said the most trou- bling criticisms came from Class A banks and a health- care facility. He said late last year, “We have lost millions of dollars of inward investment because of our lack of high- quality telecom infrastructure.” When it comes to compa- nies advertising faster rates than customers actually re- ceived, Mr. Fa’amoe said they “may need further adjustments to regulations in order for us to properly address it. But that would be just one of many is- sues the Authority plans to ad- dress with new consumer-fo- cused regulations.” The current 2011 ver- sion of the ICTA Law gives regulators the authority to fine telecom companies up to $25,000 for violating the terms of their licenses. Refusing to pay a fine could result in a telecom company losing its license. Mr. Fa’amoe said last month that Internet connec- tion speed issues had an im- pact on businesses and in- dividuals. Some people who complained to members of the Legislative Assembly said they had paid for 10 Mbps connections but the actual speed was 10 percent of that. “The current thinking is that, as a rule of thumb, any broadband service which falls below 80 percent of what the provider has con- tracted with the customer to provide is grounds for a com- plaint to the licensee and the ICTA, possibly followed up with an investigation, de- pending on what steps are taken by the provider to fix the problem,” he said. Aside from the issues over speed, ICTA’s managing di- rector also said that he was concerned about how few op- tions there are for high-speed Internet in the eastern dis- tricts and the Sister Islands. Telecom providers are required to serve the entire country. Police urge ban on illegal bike imports CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 POLICE WARN PUBLIC OVER FRAUDULENT FUNDRAISERS BRENT FULLER bfuller@pinnaclemedialtd.com A number of churches around Grand Cayman have reported individuals conducting fraudulent fun- draisers supposedly on be- half of congregations in George Town and West Bay in recent weeks. In late February, the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service received a complaint regarding one man going door-to-door in George Town soliciting donations on behalf of Calvary Baptist Church on Walkers Road. Church elder Ian Goddard confirmed last week that this individual does not represent the church. “This has been going on for, I’d say, at least three to four weeks,” Mr. Goddard said. “He came in and asked even last Sunday [March 13] for the envelopes we put our tithes in.” Mr. Goddard said he’s received reports of the same man appearing at Seven Mile Condos and in Savannah, allegedly solic- iting for Calvary Baptist. “We just don’t want our name out there for that, we don’t want that kind of publicity.” Police are investigating the church’s complaint. The suspect is described as a slim, light skinned male about 5’ 10” tall. The RCIPS also received reports of a second man who was seen in the Coral Gables area of West Bay around the end of February. This man was soliciting donations on behalf of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, officers said.MONDAY MARCH 21, 2016 • CAYMAN COMPASS 6 DISTRICT DAYS District Days George Town In the March 23, 1966 edition of the Caymanian Weekly, a precursor of the Cayman Compass, the paper reported: “A Day at the Races is not a term that can be used in its usual context in Cayman as we have no horse racing but we did have OUR ‘day at the races’ on Saturday last when many enjoyed participating in the Regatta organized by the C.I. Hotel Association. Others sat, watching all the boats go by. “If things remained calm ashore in the Beach Club venue, they were certainly more turbulent at sea. “The first race of the day, in which only sunfish boats took part, was quite exciting. The heavy breeze made the going what Eric Bergstrom, the winner, termed ‘rugged.’ He al - most sank once when a wave swept across the boat and he had to start bailing madly. No doubt on this oc- casion Eric’s weight was an asset in keeping the boat well down in the water! “There were two further races by these sunfish boats, the final results being Eric Bergstrom (33 points), John Edwards (32 1/2 points), Quatro Hatch (25), Neil Cruickshank (23), Bird Hatch (20), Cardinal DaCosta (16), Bill McTaggart (14), Tom Kenworthy (14), Mike Scholefield (13) and Otto Watler (12). “The difficulties over- come in order to have a catboat race on the pro- gram were consider- able. The three boats were moored in the North Sound and the weather was too rough for them to sail to the rendezvous. They there- fore trucked 2 boats to West Bay and sailed them down and the third was trucked all the way to the Beach Club. As these boats are very heavy this was no mean feat. “When it came time for this race the spectators were entertained to a literal rock ‘n roll show. “This battle resulted in the boats being placed as follows: 1. Dallas S. Ebanks; 2. Gleeson Ebanks; 3. Sisby Barnett. “An excellent Buffet Lunch in the Beach Club was available to those making a ‘day’ of it and in the afternoon music and calypso songs were pro- vided by a male trio, and two small-fry amused ev- eryone with their version of the ska.” 50 years ago: A day at the races Girl Guides scouting recruits for new unit ELPHINA JONES ejones@pinnaclemedialtd.com Girl Guiding in Cayman is set to expand with the formation of a new unit in George Town. With only three Guide units for girls aged 10 to 14 years old in Cayman until now, the new unit is being created to provide sufficient capacity for girls aged 7 to 10 to move up from the 11 local Brownies units once they are eligible. According to Island Commissioner Allison Taylor, the first weekly meeting of the 6th George Town Guides will take place on Monday, April 11, at the St. Ignatius School library, between 5:15 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. The new unit is looking to attract around 18 girls and will be run by Guide leaders Louisa Gibson, Loren Cooper and Jenny Stroud. “Guiding gives girls and young women a space where they can be themselves, have fun, build brilliant friendships, gain valuable life skills and make a positive difference to their lives and their communities,” said Ms. Taylor. Guiding in Cayman started in the 1930s. The Guide program is di- vided into five areas: discovery of new experiences and challenges; healthy lifestyles; global aware- ness; skills and relationships; and celebrating diversity. For parents and children new to Guiding, Ms. Taylor noted that the global movement is credited for building girls’ confidence and raising their aspirations. “We give them the chance to dis- cover their full potential and en- courage them to be a powerful force for good. Guides take part in a wide range of exciting activities at their regular meetings, and at special events or holidays,” she said. “Girls do everything from adven- ture sports to playing fun games, and from taking part in community ac- tion projects to the performing arts.” As with all units across the globe, Girl Guides work together in small groups or “patrols” and, with the support of adult leaders, choose and run some of the activities them- selves using resource packs. The islands’ Guides’ most recent high-profile event occurred during the visit of the Earl and Countess of Wessex to Cayman. As president of Girlguiding U.K., the Countess was presented with a bouquet by local Guide Carrie McCoy. Looking ahead “Having been a Brownie and a Guide as a kid in the Cayman Islands, I am so excited to become a leader and share the opportu- nity with girls who are coming up from Brownies and girls who are new to the experience,” said Ms. Gibson, one of the three leaders of the new unit. She also remarked that being a Guide not only promotes leadership skills and community involvement, but allows Guides to simply be themselves and use their initiative. “Some of my best childhood memories are times when we had our meetings or camps, from star- gazing and learning about the con- stellations to roasting marshmal- lows around a campfire in North Side,” said Ms. Gibson. “Some of my adult skills are also all thanks to being a Guide. I can pitch a tent, tie knots, make crêpes, knit and I know all of my planets.” Enthusiastic about the new unit, Ms. Gibson has a lot of ideas already brewing. “We are going to have so much fun. We are going to reach some of our goals – maybe learn to sew, volunteer, and have movie nights and camping trips. The possibilities are endless,” she said. Parents and guardians of girls between 10 and 14 years old who are interested in becoming guides are invited to visit the Girlguiding Cayman Islands Facebook page. To register and learn about fees, which will cover a Guide T-shirt, patrol emblem and promise badge, a Girl Guide sash, Guide scarf, and various other items for the rest of the school year, contact Allison Taylor at ataylor2005@hotmail.com. “Guiding gives girls and young women a space where they can be themselves, have fun, build brilliant friendships, gain valuable life skills and make a positive difference to their lives and their communities.” ALLISON TAYLOR, Cayman Islands Girl Guides commissioner Camping is a big part of Guiding.Guides set up camp at Water Cay Public Beach in Cayman Kai in February.CAYMAN COMPASS • MONDAY MARCH 21, 2016 DISTRICT DAYS 7 District Days George Town Special night for young Gallery patrons Making time for a dose of culture is not always easy for busy professionals, but a recent gathering proved a big draw for curious art lovers. The National Gallery of the Cayman Islands was open for a special late night event on Friday, March 11 to celebrate the interna- tional traveling exhibition “EN MAS’: Carnival and Performance Art of the Caribbean.” Led by six dedicated committee members from the Butterfield Young Patrons’ Circle the event boasted “an epic exhibition, expert led tours, great music by DJ Natural, a balloon pop game, and more,” according to committee member Rich Dyer. The National Gallery’s membership pro- gram for young professionals was launched in 2015 as a social networking group for young people, aged between 18 and 35. The program was not only a first for the Gallery, but also for the Cayman Islands. “The National Gallery aims to continually push boundaries and explore new and im- pactful ways of engaging our community and supporting the future resilience of the Gallery,” said the gallery’s Communications and Public Engagement Manager, Kaitlyn Elphinstone. “The Young Patrons’ Circle is one way in which we aim to achieve this,” she said. The event marked one of the last oppor- tunities for the public to view the EN MAS’ exhibition before it makes its way to the National Art Gallery of The Bahamas over the Easter Break. Admission to the exhibition is free and guided tours can be booked through the National Gallery. For details email info@nationalgallery.org.ky or call (345) 945-8111. The event marked one of the last opportunities for the public to view the EN MAS’ exhibition before it makes its way to the National Art Gallery of The Bahamas The evening featured tours of the exhibit.Lexi and Ben Gillooly take in the exhibition. Marisa Figgins Rory Mann, Lise Hurlstone, Kaitlyn Elphinstone and Graig Sheedy Tails were wagging all around as dogs and their owners gathered recently in George Town to bark up some support for a local dog rescue charity. The first edition of the Rum Tails Dog Show, held at Cayman Spirits Company on Saturday, March 12, was a fundraiser for One Dog at a Time. The dog rescue group gives dogs found on the streets and at the Department of Agriculture pound another lease on life. One Dog at a Time places them with foster fami- lies until they can be found suitable homes, in Cayman, Toronto and New York. The group also paused for a minute of silence to honor Cathy Richardson, the long- standing Humane Society Dog Show organiser, who lost her battle with cancer last year. The agility demo from Heidi Suarez Rivera from Must Love Dogs proved to be a real crowd pleaser, and many of the dogs en- joyed racing round the cir- cuit. Some dogs were not too keen on entering the “Tunnel of Love” on the agility course, but their enthusi- astic owners went to great and humorous lengths to en- courage their pooches. Kenya, a beautiful leggy German Shepherd, came away with bragging rights. Dogs also competed for Waggiest Tail, Best Rescue and Best Costume, winning prizes donated by Island Vets, Cayman Spirits Company and Cayman Animal Hospital. A dog wash and stall selling One Dog at a Time merchandise, dog treats and cakes were also available and well supported, along with delicious barbecue food. As an added bonus, the dis- tillery kindly opened so all the dogs could cool off in the A.C. with their owners. The biggest winner of the day was the gorgeous Fudge from the Humane Society. Fudge not only won first prize in two classes, but also walked off with the best prize for any rescue dog, a forever home. One Dog at a Time notes foster homes are always needed to help the rescued dogs grow accustomed to family life. The group also needs dog escorts flying to the U.S. and Canada. For more information, visit onedogatatime13 on Facebook or email onedogatatimeky@gmail.com. Pooches on parade at Rum Tails show in George Town This week the National Gallery is hosting a spe- cial lecture on the his- tory of Carnival from the artistic director of the Cayman National Cultural Foundation, Henry Muttoo. Taking place at 6 p.m. on Thursday, March 24, the free 90-minute lecture is pre- sented in conjunction with the NGCI’s current exhi- bition “EN MAS’: Carnival and Performance Art of the Caribbean.” The lecture is open to the public and will cover the fas- cinating and complex history of Caribbean Carnival. It is one of the last opportunities to view the international trav- eling EN MAS’ exhibition be- fore it makes its way to the National Art Gallery of The Bahamas. Doors open at 5 p.m.. Refreshments will be available. To RSVP or for event details, email info@nationalgallery.org. ky or call (345) 945-8111. THIS WEEK AT THE NATIONAL GALLERY Victoria Bise, Dr. Ginny Hobday and Harrison Clough show off their pooches and prizes. Nigel Cox poses with Fudge, the show’s biggest winner.The islands’ most-trusted news source 8 MONDAY MARCH 21, 2016 • CAYMAN COMPASS Caymanian Participation Sought Caymanian participation is being sought for investment in the own- ership and operation of a Cayman Islands ordinary company which will be involved in purchasing, leasing and renting of commercial property (comprising office space and storage facilities) in the dis- trict of George Town. Initial investment in the project will be in the region of approximately CI$8million. Additional capital may be required to fund on-going busi- ness requirements. Interested Caymanian parties should provide background informa- tion on themselves or their companies along with evidence of finan- cial ability to participate in an investment of this nature supported by a letter from a financial institution in the Cayman Islands on or before Wednesday 30 March 2016. In the event that no offers of participation from Caymanian investors are received, an application will be made for the grant of a license under the Local Companies (Control) Law (2015 Revision). Expressions of interest and evidence referred to above should be addressed to: Maples and Calder P.O. Box 309 Ugland House, Grand Cayman, KY1-1104 Cayman Islands REF: 713296.01 Email: project713296@maplesandcalder.com Fax: +1 345 949 8080 Easter Sale March 18-26 s po r tss po r ts Offshore finance journalist says he’s been hacked BRENT FULLER bfuller@pinnaclemedialtd.com The editor and owner of fi- nancial news and information website OffshoreAlert said last week that his site had been hacked and that it ap- peared “an attempt was made to wipe out our company.” According to a notice posted on the OffshoreAlert website, which has been down since March 15, editor David Marchant said he received an anonymous email that ap- peared to come from Russia, claiming responsibility for the hack on Thursday – al- though the site went down two days before. Mr. Marchant told the Cayman Compass he had re- ceived further communica- tion Thursday from the indi- vidual claiming responsibility for hacking into OffshoreAlert servers. “I was sued last month in Miami by a resident and citizen of Russia,” Mr. Marchant said in an email to the Compass. “The threatening emails I received this week originated from Russia.” The email, claiming to represent “Anonymous” – the well-known computer hacker group that has suc- cessfully infiltrated govern- ment and private sector sys- tems worldwide – demanded the permanent closure of the OffshoreAlert website as of Thursday evening. If that did not occur, the emailer threat- ened to expose “the real Mr. Marchant.” “We know where you’ve been and listened in on your conversations,” the email con- tinued. “We own you, your friend [sic] and your family. You are in our world now. We make the rules.” The email went on: “You are scum and we will ex- pose the true you in weeks to come. YOU are responsible for the breach on your mem- ber’s business email. YOU Mr. Merchant [sic] have our atten- tion. We will not let up. YOU will be hunted every day from here onward. Anon OP OA have hundreds of members and getting rid of you and ex- posing your members is our single collective goal. “Your paid for journal- ists and members from ac- counting, banking, legal firms and even government will pay the price.” Mr. Marchant responded on a notice placed on his web- site Thursday: “ ... I long ago came to terms with the risks involved in exposing serious financial crime and I will not allow a cowardly [expletive] in Russia or wherever to black- mail or intimidate me just be- cause we have exposed them for committing fraud, which is undoubtedly the case. Over the years, I have been threat- ened with death on multiple occasions, privately investi- gated numerous times, and my company and I have been sued for libel at state and federal courts in the USA, in Canada, England, the Cayman Islands, Panama and Grenada (two of them criminal actions) in an attempt to bankrupt us. Yet we’re still standing and, frankly, doing rather well.” Mr. Marchant apologized to his subscribers and fol- lowers on OffshoreAlert for any inconvenience and said he would “deeply regret” if any names and contact infor- mation are published by the apparent hacker. He said no financial information of sub- scribers or otherwise is kept on computer servers that the company owns, but rather is maintained by a third party fi- nancial institution. “I doubt that ‘Anonymous’ was actually behind any hack,” Mr. Marchant went on. “The evidence points to it being a ‘living-in-my-mother’s- basement, never-had-a-girl- friend, hacker-for-hire’ type. If the real ‘Anonymous’ wants to contact me, I can let you know who I strongly suspect is be- hind the attack and misappro- priating your name. Then you can go to town on him.” “The evidence points to it being a ‘living- in-my-mother’s-basement, never-had-a- girlfriend, hacker-for-hire’ type.” DAVID MARCHANT, editor and owner, OffshoreAlert “I’m really grateful he didn’t wake up with someone standing over him,” Mr. Guelzow said. When the home inva- sion burglars made it to Mr. Guelzow’s door, he started yelling for them to get out of his house. He said he chased the suspects through a window and “out they went.” The window, which had been left open, had its screen cut out, apparently allowing the burglars to enter. Mr. Guelzow said there have been burglaries in the 15 years his family has owned the Rum Point Drive home, but there has never been an incident where criminal sus- pects entered the home when they knew it was occupied. “That’s the difference,” he said. “In the old days, [bur- glaries happened] when no one was home. Now they’re coming in the house when people are home and they know it.” The Coloradan said his family will keep the North Side property and that they have a “personal family at- tachment” to Cayman, so they wouldn’t consider leaving. However, they only visit for a few weeks a year and often rent the home to friends and family when they are not around. “Now when we have friends and family over, we have to tell them it isn’t that safe,” he said. An emphatic point was put on that statement when, about two months earlier, Mr. Guelzow’s next door neighbor – a 77-year-old Kentucky man – was punched in the face during an evening robbery on Jan. 11. The elderly visitor was sitting on the back deck with his 76-year-old wife and another woman, 61, when they were set upon. The sus- pects took cash, jewelry, an iPad, three cellphones and a watch. The elderly man had to be treated for injuries to his face and an eye. One suspect has been ar- rested and charged in connec- tion with the incident. Cayman Crime Stoppers offered an $8,000 reward last week for additional informa- tion on leads resulting in ar- rests or the recovery of prop- erty in connection with the January crime. Mr. Guelzow’s wife, Kim Willoughby, who was not on Grand Cayman at the time of Saturday’s burglary/ home invasion, said both Royal Cayman Islands Police and North Side MLA Ezzard Miller were looking into the matter. “All in all, our neigh- borhood seems very alarmed and very mad,” she said. CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Burglars creep into boy’s bedroom, chased off by dad9 LOCAL NEWS CAYMAN COMPASS • MONDAY MARCH 21, 2016 Happy 5th Birthday in Heaven MamaMamaMama Can’t believe it’s been 5 years already since you left us, as life is so busy. We miss you greatly and your fi rst great-granddaughter has just arrived. She’s so precious and you would adore her. Alexis is busy being a good Dad, you would be so proud. We treasure your lessons to us - honesty, caring and being respectful of others, and this will always be passed on. We love and miss you forever Mama, and one day we will see you again! Your loving son Osbourne and family. In Loving Memory of Avis Ebanks-Harry March 11th 1936-March 21st 2007 Pleasant in manner, patient in pain, Our loss is her eternal gain, Her cheery ways and smiling face Are a pleasure to recall. She had a kindly word for each And died beloved by all Sadly missed by your husband Harry, children, Grandchildren, great-grandchildren, brothers, Sisters, nieces and nephews In Loving Memory ofIn Loving Memory ofIn Loving Memory of Avis Ebanks-Harry Avis Ebanks-Harry Avis Ebanks-Harry Avis Ebanks-Harry Avis Ebanks-Harry Avis Ebanks-Harry Avis Ebanks-Harry Avis Ebanks-Harry Avis Ebanks-Harry Avis Ebanks-Harry Avis Ebanks-Harry Avis Ebanks-Harry Avis Ebanks-Harry Avis Ebanks-Harry Avis Ebanks-Harry Avis Ebanks-Harry Avis Ebanks-Harry Avis Ebanks-Harry Avis Ebanks-Harry Avis Ebanks-Harry Avis Ebanks-Harry Avis Ebanks-Harry Avis Ebanks-Harry Avis Ebanks-Harry Avis Ebanks-Harry Avis Ebanks-Harry Avis Ebanks-Harry Avis Ebanks-Harry Avis Ebanks-Harry Avis Ebanks-Harry Avis Ebanks-Harry Avis Ebanks-Harry Avis Ebanks-Harry Avis Ebanks-Harry Avis Ebanks-Harry Avis Ebanks-Harry March 11March 11March 11March 11March 11March 11March 11March 11March 11March 11March 11March 11March 11March 11March 11March 11March 11March 11March 11March 11March 11March 11March 11March 11March 11March 11March 11March 11March 11March 11March 11March 11March 11March 11March 11March 11March 11March 11thth 1936-March 21 1936-March 21 1936-March 21 1936-March 21 1936-March 21 1936-March 21 1936-March 21 1936-March 21 1936-March 21 1936-March 21 1936-March 21 1936-March 21 1936-March 21 1936-March 21 1936-March 21 1936-March 21 1936-March 21 1936-March 21 1936-March 21 1936-March 21 1936-March 21 1936-March 21 1936-March 21 1936-March 21 1936-March 21 1936-March 21 1936-March 21 1936-March 21 1936-March 21th 1936-March 21thth 1936-March 21th 1936-March 21 1936-March 21 1936-March 21 1936-March 21 1936-March 21 1936-March 21 1936-March 21 1936-March 21 1936-March 21 1936-March 21 1936-March 21 1936-March 21 1936-March 21 1936-March 21 1936-March 21 1936-March 21 1936-March 21 1936-March 21 1936-March 21 1936-March 21 1936-March 21 1936-March 21 1936-March 21stst 2007 2007 2007 2007 2007 2007 2007 2007 2007 2007 2007 2007st 2007stst 2007st 2007 2007 2007 2007 2007 2007 2007 2007 2007 2007 2007 2007 Pleasant in manner, patient in pain,Pleasant in manner, patient in pain,Pleasant in manner, patient in pain, Our loss is her eternal gain,Our loss is her eternal gain, Her cheery ways and smiling faceHer cheery ways and smiling faceHer cheery ways and smiling faceHer cheery ways and smiling faceHer cheery ways and smiling faceHer cheery ways and smiling faceHer cheery ways and smiling faceHer cheery ways and smiling faceHer cheery ways and smiling faceHer cheery ways and smiling faceHer cheery ways and smiling faceHer cheery ways and smiling faceHer cheery ways and smiling faceHer cheery ways and smiling faceHer cheery ways and smiling faceHer cheery ways and smiling faceHer cheery ways and smiling faceHer cheery ways and smiling faceHer cheery ways and smiling faceHer cheery ways and smiling faceHer cheery ways and smiling faceHer cheery ways and smiling faceHer cheery ways and smiling faceHer cheery ways and smiling faceHer cheery ways and smiling faceHer cheery ways and smiling faceHer cheery ways and smiling faceHer cheery ways and smiling faceHer cheery ways and smiling faceHer cheery ways and smiling faceHer cheery ways and smiling faceHer cheery ways and smiling faceHer cheery ways and smiling faceHer cheery ways and smiling faceHer cheery ways and smiling faceHer cheery ways and smiling faceHer cheery ways and smiling faceHer cheery ways and smiling faceHer cheery ways and smiling faceHer cheery ways and smiling faceHer cheery ways and smiling faceHer cheery ways and smiling faceHer cheery ways and smiling faceHer cheery ways and smiling faceHer cheery ways and smiling faceHer cheery ways and smiling faceHer cheery ways and smiling faceHer cheery ways and smiling faceHer cheery ways and smiling faceHer cheery ways and smiling faceHer cheery ways and smiling faceHer cheery ways and smiling faceHer cheery ways and smiling faceHer cheery ways and smiling faceHer cheery ways and smiling faceHer cheery ways and smiling faceHer cheery ways and smiling faceHer cheery ways and smiling faceHer cheery ways and smiling faceHer cheery ways and smiling faceHer cheery ways and smiling faceHer cheery ways and smiling faceHer cheery ways and smiling faceHer cheery ways and smiling faceHer cheery ways and smiling faceHer cheery ways and smiling faceHer cheery ways and smiling faceHer cheery ways and smiling faceHer cheery ways and smiling faceHer cheery ways and smiling faceHer cheery ways and smiling faceHer cheery ways and smiling faceHer cheery ways and smiling faceHer cheery ways and smiling faceHer cheery ways and smiling faceHer cheery ways and smiling faceHer cheery ways and smiling faceHer cheery ways and smiling faceHer cheery ways and smiling faceHer cheery ways and smiling faceHer cheery ways and smiling faceHer cheery ways and smiling faceHer cheery ways and smiling faceHer cheery ways and smiling faceHer cheery ways and smiling faceHer cheery ways and smiling faceHer cheery ways and smiling faceHer cheery ways and smiling faceHer cheery ways and smiling faceHer cheery ways and smiling faceHer cheery ways and smiling faceHer cheery ways and smiling faceHer cheery ways and smiling faceHer cheery ways and smiling faceHer cheery ways and smiling faceHer cheery ways and smiling faceHer cheery ways and smiling faceHer cheery ways and smiling faceHer cheery ways and smiling faceHer cheery ways and smiling faceHer cheery ways and smiling faceHer cheery ways and smiling faceHer cheery ways and smiling face Are a pleasure to recall.Are a pleasure to recall. She had a kindly word for eachShe had a kindly word for each Credit card conspirators sentenced Judge considered effect on banks and customers whose credit cards had been cloned CAROL WINKER cwinker@pinnaclemedialtd.com Five people who pleaded guilty to conspiracy to de- fraud Cayman banks with cloned credit cards were sentenced on Friday to prison terms that ranged from 22 months to two and a half years. The four men and one woman had pleaded guilty to other charges as well – including converting crim- inal property (the cash ob- tained from Automatic Teller Machines with the fraudulent cards) by paying for goods or services. Justice Alastair Malcolm said the conspiracy charge represented the criminality in this case. Conspiracy is an agreement to commit an offense, he pointed out, so the offense was committed as soon as the agreement was made. The starting point in considering the se- riousness of the conspiracy was what the conspirators agreed to do and not what was actually obtained. The other offenses were overt acts carried out during the conspiracy, which began on Oct. 24 2015 and ended when the five were arrested on Nov. 3. The arrests occurred after an ATM retained some of the cloned cards and CNB employees checked closed circuit television, where they saw images of two persons who had used the cards. One of the employees saw the two people on the street the next day and followed them. Between Oct. 30 and Nov. 3, there were 399 attempts to obtain cash from ATMs by using U.K. store cards or gift cards that had the ap- pearance of credit cards; each contained a magnetic strip onto which genuine customer information had been transferred. As Crown counsel Toyin Salako explained earlier in the week, most of the at- tempts to use the cards were not successful; how- ever the group did ob- tain totals of $16,675 from Cayman National Bank and $1,800 from Butterfield Bank. Had they been suc- cessful they would have ob- tained in excess of $125,000, she submitted. “The conspiracy was well organized and sophisticated,” Justice Malcolm said. “The conspirators had with them details of a large number of bank and credit cards and the facility to clone other cards with that data. “The five defendants were brought by circuitous routes to the Cayman Islands,” he pointed out. “It is inconceiv- able that those directing this conspiracy would in- clude people who had no idea what was going to happen until after they had arrived, which is what was claimed by some of the de- fendants. There is insuffi- cient evidence as to who was directing the defendants here in Cayman, but I am satisfied that each defendant arrived knowing what the purpose of the conspiracy was and played a full part in carrying it out.” The judge also responded to Ms. Salako’s submission that the con- spirators had deliberately targeted Cayman “on the basis of vulnerability of the Cayman Islands banking system.” He said, “I do not consider that the Cayman Islands banks can come under the definition of ‘vul- nerable’ due to a failure in their ATM security. However, this type of crime does have a considerable detrimental effect on the banks themselves and those whose cards have been cloned, so I consider there is ‘medium impact.’” In his judgment, the ap- propriate sentence for the conspiracy was three and a half years before he con- sidered aggravating or mit- igating factors. Justice Malcolm said he was not distinguishing between the defendants as to their roles. Sentences for any other offenses were made to run concurrently. The first defendant on island was Nytia Tynea Bradley, 26, an American. She arrived on Oct. 25 from New York. The judge noted it was her phone that had been used to receive direc- tions and advice from per- sons unknown while the conspiracy continued. She had no previous convic- tions. Justice Malcolm put her sentence at 33 months, but gave her one-third credit for her guilty plea, re- sulting in a prison term of 22 months. Ayoub Cheaaibi, 22, a British national, arrived on Oct. 30. He shared a room at the Treasure Island Resort with Bradley. He had no previous convictions, but had absconded from the U.K. on a drug charge. Justice Malcolm started his sentence at three years, re- ducing it to two years for the guilty plea. The other three defen- dants are Romanian na- tionals who arrived on the same flight from Jamaica on Oct. 30. Their luggage had been searched for any item that might be used to commit credit card fraud, but nothing was found. They also stayed at Treasure Island. All three had said they came to Cayman after borrowing money in Romania and being unable to pay it back. Ovidui-Giulian Dobrea, 40, had no previous convic- tions. In view of no evidence of bad character, the judge made his starting point 33 months and gave him the one-third discount for the guilty plea, with the result being 22 months. Ionut-Catalin Petcu, 27, had convictions in the U.K., France and Italy. His starting point was three years nine months. With discount for pleas, his sen- tence was set at two and a half years. Marius-Ioan Bud-Popa, 42, had convictions rele- vant to the current offenses. His starting point was also 45 months, reduced to 30 months for the guilty plea. Justice Malcolm ordered the destruction of all items used in the course of the offenses. He said money seized could be used as compensation: CI$12,322 to CNB and US$1,202 to Butterfield. He recom- mended deportation for the defendants after they have served their sentences. “I do not consider that the Cayman Islands banks can come under the definition of ‘vulnerable’ due to a failure in their ATM security.” ALASTAIR MALCOLM, Grand Court judgeNext >