Violent burglar jailed for 10 years

| 19/12/2019 | 58 Comments
Cayman News Service
Ryan Elijah Ebanks

(CNS): Ryan Elijah Ebanks has been given another lengthy jail term for a serious and violent crime after the serial offender was convicted of a home invasion in West Bay earlier this year. He was jailed for ten years Wednesday for an aggravated burglary in Mona Lisa Way, where he broke into the home of a 78-year-old man, who suffers from cancer and lives alone. Ebanks chopped the elderly man with a machete multiple times and made off with his phone and watch.

The court heard that Ebanks had burst into his victim’s home one evening in March using a concrete block, waking the elderly resident, who was sleeping on his sofa. When he opened his eyes the victim saw Ebanks, who was wearing a bandana over his face and holding a machete. Ebanks demanded a bag of jewellery, which referred to a small black sack in which the victim kept some watches and bracelets.

Outlining the details of the attack, crown prosecutor Greg Walcolm said the victim, who was disoriented and frightened, directed the home invader to the table where there was one watch and his phone. Ebanks took those but demanded that the victim tell him where the bag was and chopped his head and arms with the machete. As the elderly victim attempted to fight back, Ebanks continued the violent assault, dragging the man outside as he continued trying to escape.

Ebanks then rummaged through the car, where the bag was, but did not find it. Eventually, he fled without the loot he had apparently been looking for, leaving the elderly man hiding in the bathroom. The victim eventually made his way to his nephew’s home nearby, and the police and emergency services were called.

The man was taken to hospital and treated for serious but not life-threatening injuries. A report given to the court about the injuries and consequences revealed that the victim, who was once very independent despite being treated for cancer, has largely lost the use of his right hand from the injuries he sustained. He is now fearful of living alone and dependent on his family for help and support.

Ebanks was arrested after his DNA was found at the scene and the victim’s blood was found on his shoes. He was eventually charged with robbery, wounding with intent and aggravated burglary.

Throughout the case Ebanks largely defended himself, after firing two lawyers, and admitted aggravated burglary. But he claimed it was not a planned attack, that he did not mean to hurt the victim and he did not know about the bag of jewels. He said it was as a result of his serious cocaine and alcohol addiction, for which he has been unable to get help.

The court heard that Ebanks, who is now 41, has more than forty previous convictions for a catalogue of offences, from drug possession to armed robbery, and even assaults inside the jail. A social inquiry report outlined Ebanks’ very violent upbringing and problems with drug abuse, and rated his risk of re-offending as high.

As Justice Linda Dobbs handed down a 15-year term, she said that she did not believe the home invasion was random but that Ebanks had planned the burglary. She said he had attempted to play down the seriousness of the offence and had not shown genuine remorse. However, she did credit Ebanks with a full third discount for his guilty plea, cutting his jail time to ten years.


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Category: Courts, Crime

Comments (58)

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  1. Anonymous says:

    Well, it is is safe to say that he is far beyond redemption. It is sad, but true. He will never find healing and to commit that atrocious, cruel, despicable act so callously AND AFTER ALL OF HIS PREVIOUS CONVICTIONS should erase ANY DOUBT! With that being said, there ARE some that CAN BE SAVED. Some offenders THAT CAN BE REFORMED… but we focus more on PUNISHMENT here in Cayman rather than on REHABILITATION. It doesn’t help that we just lump petty criminals and first time offenders in with VIOLENT, HARDENED CRIMINALS either. I’m not saying we should do what they do in Norway (or at the very least, we shouldn’t copy them wholesale) but we CAN and SHOULD start focusing on giving certain offenders a second chance.

  2. Stan Lomas says:

    Only 10 years? Something is seriously wrong with the Caymanian justice system. What is wrong with the judge? It is demoralizing to read this. Better get this under control or the bad press is going to kill the golden goose (tourism). I am new here and am considering residency but I will leave if I find this to be commonplace or tolerated.

  3. Anonymous says:

    But I thought all crime like this was committed by Jamaicans and they are the majority of prisoners in Northward……that’s what I’ve been reading in many CNS posts for the last god knows how many years..you know…deport them etc etc. Even though the statistics on prisoners in Northward make it clear they are mostly…mostly…our own useless Caymanians.
    OK, now please don’t start with the “they are not real Caymanians thing”…go to Northward and you will see these are real hard ass Caymanians who have been on the criminal path since they were in primary school.

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    • Anonymous says:

      Jamaicans have been the progenitors for some of the most violent crime and heinous acts in this country since the beginning of time. Yet the cayman island since the beginning of time has also been the most tolerant and accepting of Jamaicans, when compared to other places in the diaspora. For the mere fact that racists like yourself focus on the few caymanians like this example that give all of us a bad name by choosing to live a life a crime, you miss an opportunity to explain why a beautiful place like Jamaica is plagued with such black on black violence with no end in sight. No one in this post eluded that this guy was Jamaican, he is our own that we unfortunately have to accept. But you have to accept the truth of who your people are and what they stand for and pray to god for change. Emigrating is not the solution. Look within your own house first and fix it before casting judgement.

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    • Anonymous says:

      Exposed to drugs very very early by those closest to him. We can see the results of this type of rearing. Children being exposed…no one cared rnough to
      rescue these kids and so many more like them.
      This what happens when parents are to held accountable. Being a parent is a serious undertaking. So very sad…to see like kids turn out this way.

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  4. Anonymous says:

    There is no excuse for this happening and he certainly should not have even been anywhere near this man’s house. XXXXX Ryan has also been abused and violated by the police from when he was much younger. He has also been assaulted in prison by both fellow inmates and prison guards as well. He was even handcuffed by guards and left to the mercy of some other inmates who had a grevience with him at one time. So whenever he fought back against them he was charged. We as Caymanians just love to tear each other down without even knowing all the facts and that’s the main reason why the expats are taking over. Caymanians fighting against Caymanians! If this was an expat then probably there wouldn’t have been so much condemning and crucifiying without getting all the facts.

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    • Anonymous says:

      Amen! Those who don’t know Ryan’s story are quick to throw stones.

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      • Anonymous says:

        If so many know his story then why didn’t anyone help him?

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      • Fair and Balanced says:

        Are you saying “Ryan’s story” allows him to chop a 78 year-old cancer sufferer?

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        • Anonymous says:

          10:23 you are a trol!

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          • Jotnar says:

            No think that’s a fair question – one which you don’t want to answer.

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          • Fair and Balanced says:

            No at all – no troll here.

            I was actually outraged at 9:41 am’s comment that people in the Cayman Islands don’t know Ryan’s story – as though this somehow made it understandable why he would chop a 78 year-old cancer sufferer!

            10 years was not enough!!

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  5. Anonymous says:

    How come the unserved part of prior convictions never gets added back on when they commit more crimes? This would be easy and get these people off the streets.

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  6. Anonymous says:

    Our criminal justice system is broken. Violent criminals like the one in this story will not serve 10 years. In all likelyhood he will be back on the streets in a relatively few months due to our ‘mandatory’ early release system. How is that justice???

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    • Anonymous says:

      Nope 60% has to be served first before he can be eligible to sit parole. In his case I am sorry to condemn or judge but Ryan wont be able to make the mark for the parole board. He is way too likely to reoffend. Sad but true.

  7. Anonymous says:

    Maybe if you all who has so much condemning things to say was in his shoes maybe you would think differently. I know what he did is terrible. He has had a very trumatic childhood XXXX It is also a very terrible lie that he has so many convictions. I know that for a fact. It is also not true that the elderly gentleman’s arms were hanging by the skin. He was struck by the back of the machete and the wound he received was to his head where the machete struck him there. It is a very unfortunate and disturbing situation and I feel very badly for the gentleman. But Ryan is also a victim as well and I hope he receives the help he need now that he has admitted he has a problem and need help. You all don’t be so hasty to condemned and crucify before you get all the facts. I know you would not want it for yourself.

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    • Anonymous says:

      So why didn’t you help him as a child???

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      • Anonymous says:

        I commented that XXXXX. But CNS chose not to publish that part of my comment. XXXX

        CNS: Your claims may well be true but you are making accusations of criminal behaviour about people that I cannot verify. “Anonymous said so” is not verification.

  8. Anonymous says:

    Any of you elderly teachers out there remember what a nasty aggressive little terrorist he was from primarily and middle school age?

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    • Anonymous says:

      Yes 9:16 he was dreadful to deal with but when he was suspended from school Roy Bodden, then in opposition, kept asking stupid parliamentary questions about why he and others kept getting suspended, implying it was the teachers fault these poor innocent Caymanian boys were being denied an education. Sickening. Always blame others.

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      • Parent says:

        If you are a teacher making this comment, you are part of the problem.
        Always quick to condemn children if they don’t act the way you think they should act instead of caring enough to investigate the root of the problem.

        I don’t know this young man and I am definitely not making excuses for his heinous behaviour now but have you considered that if someone, like yourself, had taken the time to find out back then maybe he would not be the way he is now.

    • Anonymous says:

      OMG that is such a lie!

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      • Anonymous says:

        Sorry, but it is not a lie. Check the Hansards for the mid 1980s onwards into the nineties.

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  9. Annoyed says:

    He has 41 convictions but he has done more than 10 robberies, in which he was investigated by the police, but was not charged for. He can not be rehabilitated. He will kill someone or he will be killed by someone. He is a sick heartless, soulless, disgusting degenerate, inhumane dam fool waste or air and space.

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  10. Anonymous says:

    What has happened to this place ? How can you do this to your own people ? Much less anyone else…

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    • Anonymous says:

      Wow a 78 yr old local and fellow west baya of this gent here..no real gangster code of conduct just a bunch wannabe druggies…principle-less… .they would never target the real rich imposters only the poorman.

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  11. Anonymous says:

    Come break in my house when I’m home. Last thing you’ll ever do.

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    • Anonymous says:

      Then you will get the full 15 years in Northward while your attacker gets free medical and a new job in the civil service. That is justice in Cayman.

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  12. Anonymous says:

    And if the elderly gentleman had been so lucky to end this criminal’s life….he would have been arrested for murder. This is no longer Cayman 1982. We are like every other Caribbean third world country. Criminals rule, law abiding citizens live in fear.

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    • Anonymous says:

      P.s. – and Police still issuing tint and traffic tickets, haha! If the criminals dont expose or ‘catch’ themselves please dont rely on yours truly…the farce.

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      • Anonymous says:

        Well, after all, most of the police we have here are from foreign countries saturated with crime. But yet they come here to “help fight crime”. Yeah right, more like fight the exchange rate of the CI Dollar!

  13. Disgusted. says:

    When there is irrefutable evidence of guilt can the Chief Justice please inform the public why the law stipulates this maniac should have 5 years knocked of his sentence?.

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  14. Anonymous says:

    Why is he continually being released? Obviously he cannot live in society.

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  15. Anonymous says:

    Sounds like a real menace to society with numerous previous convictions.

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  16. Anonymous says:

    “He said it was as a result of his serious cocaine and alcohol addiction, for which he has been unable to get help”… substitute “unable” for “unwilling” and the story rings a lot more true.

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    • Anonymous says:

      Some people can handle a little bit of snuff and rum. Some people can’t. Not all of it is an addiction.

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  17. Anonymous says:

    capitol punishment would be too easy for this guy….

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  18. Anonymous says:

    We have lost this country, when cocaine and alcohol has triumph above common decency. Lock him up for good. He will never change.

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  19. Anonymous says:

    Complete POS.

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  20. Anonymous says:

    Ryan we all know what led to this. Use your time wisely to kick your appetites and come back better than before.

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  21. BeaumontZodecloun says:

    “Wounding with intent”…….. to what?? To KILL. How is that not attempted murder? Ten years????????? How many years has he ruined for the victim, who has to live out his remaining time in fear.

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    • You are so right.... says:

      BeaumountZodecloun – You are so right. I too wondered why this POS didn’t get slammed with attempted murder. I happen to be the wife of the nephew who’s house the victim arrived at a a MERE 9:50 pm. Our dog is the one who alerted my husband that someone was in our yard. When my husband woke me to advise me that the victim had be hurt I ran out to see what had happened and I have never seen so much blood in my life, neither of his arms worked, they were hanging on by mere shreds of skin around the back of his arms and his head had this MASSIVE chop in it and all I could do was put my head between my legs to stop from passing out from seeing all the blood. I put my hand on him and prayed for him to be saved, because with that amount of blood loss and the massive wound to his head (I swore went down to the brain (thank God it didn’t)).

      The victim is a happy, amazing, peaceful 78 year fun loving person who was asleep on his couch and fighting cancer that was nearly gone.

      The victim once out of the hospital had more staples in his body than Office Max sells. He stayed with us for protection, our dog was his safety, having us,his son, daughter and son-in-law around him gave him peace of mind to close his eyes only for a few hours each night.

      How did the RCIPS not see that this was attempted murder? What does it take? Just because the motive was jewelry… I hope they can sleep at night. Due to the fact that the victim lost so much treatment time for his cancer after this horrific attempted murder – he is now fighting for his life as the cancer came back and came back more aggressively. Way to go moron “violent burglar” – the script should be flipped. What is society going to do in 10 years, be traumatized AGAIN??? When will this madness STOP????

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      • Anonymous says:

        10:26, you might want to see a therapist to see about your experience.

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        • Therapy??? says:

          Maybe you shouldn’t judge! Nasty person! You see when you have one finger pointing out see how many are pointing back at you! Terrible, Terrible person you are. Coward….

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          • Anonymous says:

            And this is the problem. When you suggest someone might benefit from therapy it’s seen as a terrible insult because of the perception that only crazy people go to therapy. This just perpetuates the cycle of people not getting the help they need.

            Just so we’re clear: therapy is about taking care of your mental health. And for mental health, as with every other kind of health, prevention is better than cure. Literally everyone can benefit from therapy. So please let’s remove the stigma around it.

            I didn’t see 1:41’s comment as an insult or a “judgement” but as a sincere suggestion that would likely benefit 10:26.

          • Anonymous says:

            How did you interpret the comment suggesting you seek help for a traumatic experience as a negative thing? Wow!!!

            • Anonymous says:

              I was only trying to say that seeing a therapist might be a good thing. To interpret it as anything else is dreadful.

      • Anonymous says:

        Truthfully the police may have very well arrested him for the more serious offense of attempted murder, however it is down to the ODPP to say what offenses to formally charge a person with be it a higher or lower offense which they clearly charged him with the offense they knew they would get a conviction for. Attempted murder despite what some may think would have ultimately cost the ODPP to lose. 10 years is a very long time (though probably not long enough for some which is understandable) to be in prison for. So sorry that a man that age had to indure such a traumatic event. I wish him all the best an hope that he can recover mentally and physically.

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      • BeaumontZodecloun says:

        May God bless you all and keep you safe.

        I hope that when this criminal is released, if he returns to his habitual violent behaviour, he chooses a victim which is equipped with the tools and skills to properly deal with him.

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    • Anonymous says:

      I get what you’re saying, but to clarify, the “intent” in wounding with intent refers to the fact that the wounding was done intentionally.

  22. Anonymous says:

    So this POS who has over 40+ convictions and is a known repeat offender to the system breaks into this elderly mans home whom is also fighting cancer chops him several times injuring his hand permanently and then only gets a ten year sentence????
    He should have been given life without parole. That’s the problem with our judicial system- it has no teeth! He will probably be out in 6 years only to do it again.

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    • Anonymous says:

      I agree with the sentiment, what this menace did is my worst nightmare as I also live alone and have had my doors banged on three times in the middle of the night I’m aware of (just in the past year) while I was on the couch and any of those times I could have been asleep. Just more proof that these violent home invasions do happen. I wanted to reassure you and others reading that there is no longer presumed release after serving 60% of a sentence with good behaviour – and by the sounds of it, he can’t manage good behaviour in Northward anyway. He won’t be let out if he remains a risk to the public. The only thing they can’t do is keep him longer than he’s been sentenced for. On that note, he should not have received a full one-third discount because the case against him was overwhelming with the DNA and blood transfer evidence. The courts have been reluctant over the years to properly apply the guidelines on when to give less than one-third discount probably because they figure too much less than one-third being given out regularly could change the advice lawyers give to plead guilty and get the one-third, sparing everyone involved a trial and saving court time. In this case, especially given the impact on the victim, risk of re-offending being high, and conviction being certain if he had gone to trial, he should have got the minimum discount of 10% which would have kept him in Northward another 3 1/2 years.

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  23. bob says:

    what a waste man,waste of space and taking precious air from law abiding citizens…

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  24. Kathleen Bodden-Harris says:

    ARE YOU SERIOUS!? That animal needs to be locked away for the rest of his life. Forgive me for denigrating the word animal.

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