MACI chief’s assault case under review

Joel Walton, CEO of the Maritime Authority of the Cayman Islands

(CNS): The crown has been requested to review charges against the CEO of the Maritime Authority of the Cayman Islands (MACI) based on recommendations from a counsellor and because the complainant does not want to press ahead with the case. Joel Walton has been charged with actual bodily harm, insulting the modesty of woman and causing fear or provocation of violence in connection with a domestic incident in February.

Walton, who despite the arrest was not placed on leave from his top government job at MACI, appeared in Summary Court Tuesday before Magistrate Valdis Foldats, represented by local defence attorney Charles Clifford. The matter was adjourned for two weeks to give the prosecution time to review the case with the possibility of having the charges dropped. Clifford told the court that Walton and the complainant had been involved in counselling and she did not want to proceed. The victim’s reluctance to press ahead was confirmed by Graham Hampson, the lawyer who appeared on her behalf.

Clifford said a report from the counsellor who has been seeing the couple also recommended that the matter be resolved outside the courts to allow both of them to get on with their lives. Documents and letters were passed to the court and the prosecutor agreed to look at the case before Walton’s next appearance on 9 June.