Ex-supermarket boss not allowed to leave

Kirk Market, George Town

(CNS): In Summary Court Thursday, Magistrate Grace Donalds found that a former manager of a local supermarket charged with theft and deception offences was a flight risk and denied the return of his passport. Craig Gaskill (45), who is an American citizen, has been charged with stealing around $35,000 and lying to his employers about his professional credentials. The former GM of Kirk Market was arrested last year and charged this month with obtaining property by deception and obtaining a pecuniary advantage by deception. He is currently on bail.

The court heard Thursday from his defence attorney that he is now unable to support himself because he cannot work and is dependant on the generosity of friends. His wife and four children have been forced to return to the US and Gaskill wanted to join them there so he could work until his trial. Alice Carver, of Samson and McGrath, argued that her client had every reason to return to Cayman for his trial because he needed to clear his name for the sake of his future career.

However, crown counsel Kenneth Ferguson warned the court of numerous previous occasions when foreign nationals charged with dishonesty offences who had been allowed to travel were “never to be seen again”.

Fergusson said that Gaskill had misled his employers about his qualifications and experience and was accused of stealing substantial sums through the misuse of a company business charge card. The prosecutor said it was “highly unlikely” he would return if he was given his passport and allowed to travel.

Magistrate Donalds said she was satisfied that there were indications that Gaskill would not surrender, given the seriousness of the charges, if he was allowed to travel. She refused the application for his passport to be returned and he was bailed to return to court on 16 March.