Tag: Featured
‘Copious evidence’ dooms gas station robber’s appeal
(CNS): The Cayman Islands Court of Appeal has upheld both the robbery conviction and the 12-year sentence handed down in 2023 to Alvin Shaquille Ebanks, dismissing his in-person appeal because of what the court described as the copious evidence against him. In the ruling published last month, the court found that the sentence given to […]
Shortage of criminal defence lawyers still delaying justice
(CNS): While the state of the court buildings, inclement weather, and a shortage of rooms and judges are still impacting the court clearance rates, Chief Justice Margaret Ramsay-Hale said a paucity of defence attorneys slowed down the clear-up rate of cases in the criminal division of the Grand Court last year.
Scientists not consulted over conservation law changes
(CNS): The minority UPM government did not consult scientists or technical experts at the Department of Environment when it drafted the controversial amendments to the National Conservation Act. Since publishing the amendment bill, there has been no comment from the sustainability minister, senior ministry officials or the premier on the proposed changes, the justification for […]
Burglars make off with massive jewellery haul
(CNS): The RCIPS has opened an investigation into a break-in at a downtown jeweller in the early hours of New Year’s Eve morning in which tens of thousands of dollars worth of jewellery was taken. Police investigating the audacious burglary believe it happened at around 1:30am on Tuesday, 31 December, at the store on Main […]
Election officials on alert over voter fraud reports
(CNS): District registering officers are exercising heightened vigilance in reviewing and verifying voter registration and change of circumstances forms after a number of complaints were made about people intentionally or inadvertently submitting false information. The Elections Office said the complaints were in relation to people attempting to fraudulently register to vote in electoral districts where […]
Grand Harbour evacuated over ‘bomb threat’
(CNS) UPDATED: Police have now confirmed that they have opened an investigation into yesterday’s bomb threat at Grand Harbour. The RCIPS said that following a thorough search of the premises, by police and an explosives expert following the threat, the area was deemed safe, and normal business operations resumed. But the police had still not offered any […]
Panton warns of political risk posed by NCA changes
(CNS): Former premier and sustainability minister Wayne Panton has raised significant concerns about the minority UPM government’s attempts to gut the National Conservation Act, specifically the damage the proposed changes could cause to the environment as well as the political and governance risks they present. Panton said the draft bill not only undermines the intent […]
AG agrees to ask CJ to review inequities of drug sentences
(CNS): Attorney General Samuel Bulgin has said he will ask the chief justice to conduct a review of sentences that have been handed down to those convicted of drug offences following concerns that visitors who are bringing drugs into Cayman accidentally or deliberately are facing far less severe sanctions than locals for similar crimes. The […]
Changes to law would pave way for unchecked development
(CNS): One of the most fundamental changes the UPM government is proposing to make to the National Conservation Act would, if the amendment bill passes, almost eliminate the main purpose of the law. One of the clauses removes the National Conservation Council’s ability to curtail even the most egregious development if, for example, the Central […]
New Year election roll grows by just over 1.2%
(CNS): The latest register of electors, which was published on the Elections Office website on New Year’s Day, has increased by just 300 votes or around 1.2% compared to the October register. The electoral roll now stands at 23,829 people. However, as the clock ticks on the 15 January deadline for eligible voters to register […]
2024 pushes 2023 off top spot for hottest year on record
(CNS): Earth has now endured a decade of record-breaking heat after 2024 knocked 2023 off the top spot as the hottest year on record. The rapidly rising heat over the last ten years has been fueled by man’s behaviour and reached the point where scientists are now saying that the hope of restricting the rise […]
