Connect with us

Crime

Former Tourist Board Director will go to trial says Supreme Court judge

Published

on

By Dana Malcolm

Staff Writer

 

#TurksandCaicos, November 21, 2022 – A criminal trial has been order for Ramon Andrews, former Director of the TCI Tourist Board after failing to have the case against him thrown out.

Andrews, who was investigated and arrested by officers from the Integrity Commission, was charged in 2019 for corruption and financial misconduct. His attorney Oliver Smith, KC argued that the Integrity Commission officers acted outside of their remit when they arrested him as that was a power reserved  for those in public office i.e. policemen.

The Integrity Commission Ordinance maintains its officers are not policemen.

However, leaning on court documents shared by the TCI Sun Newspaper, Supreme Court Judge Shiraz Aziz rejected Smith’s argument maintaining that “The fact that the section states that the officer is not a police officer does not of itself mean that the officer cannot or shall not arrest or charge someone who he is investigating or where as a result of the investigation, there is evidence which can support a charge.”

While the judge maintained that the specification was to keep the Integrity Commission officers separate from the Royal TCI Police, not reduce their powers of arrest thus the trial will go forward, he did admit the language of the law lent to varied interpretations.

Andrews was appointed in 2016 and in 2019 became the subject of an “extensive investigation” and was charged by the Integrity Commission.  Details on the case have been miniscule, shedding no light on the extent of his alleged corruption and financial misconduct.

There was talk of up to $100,000 in misappropriated funds but at the time of that public report, Andrews told Magnetic Media the amount of money promoted on social media in the case was inflated.

He was put on administrative leave by the Tourist Board and was succeeded by Pamela Ewing who has since resigned the post.

The matter was argued on behalf of the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions by Willin Belliard, prosecuting attorney and (Governor’s appointed) member of the House of Assembly.

Crime

Shot male victim identified

Published

on

#TurksandCaicos, June 9, 2023 – The male victim shot dead on June 07th, while seated in a parked vehicle has been identified as 25-year-old Karo Outten.

Outten, whose last known address was Five Cays, Providenciales, was shot multiple times in a vehicle, at a Tire Shop along South Dock Road.

Commissioner of Police (ag) Rodney Adams in condemning the midday brazen killing said: “The South Dock community and its environs are reeling from the destructive actions of a few criminal elements desirous of continuing along the path of lawlessness. This incident occurred on the premises of a business place during which time, persons were conducting transactions and going about their errands in surrounding areas. The RTCIPF will not dodge our responsibility and wishes to assure the public that our Serious Crime Unit is actively pursuing all leads in a bid to arrest and charge the perpetrators. At the same time, the RTCIPF will ensure there is a sense of calm and security within the public domain”.

The RTCIPF can confirm this is the fifth murder of the year (June 08th).

Persons with information on this murder can communicate directly through any police station or call 911.

 

Release: RTCIPF

Continue Reading

Crime

OPERATION PURSUIT -Restaurants and Bars ordered closed

Published

on

#TurksandCaicos, June 9, 2023 – FIVE Restaurants and Bars in Providenciales were yesterday evening (June 07th) served with Closure Notices after public health officials swooped down on their premises and found expired items used in the preparation of food.

Additionally, nine persons were apprehended and taken to the Detention Center for processing, and a number of prohibited items were confiscated.

At 6:40 p.m.the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force in collaboration with the Immigration Enforcement Unit, Customs Department, Environmental Health Department, and the Revenue Control Unit, arrived at a  Liquor License premises along the Millennium Highway.

While at this location, it was observed that several persons were working Contrary to their Work Permits.  A warning was issued, and two individuals – male and female were apprehended.

The Officers also conducted a search at a bar located in Kew Town behind the Ball Park.

A total of seven individuals (four males and three females)  were apprehended and taken to the Detention Center for Processing.  At this location, a number of prohibited items were seized.

Overall, several restaurants and cafeterias were served notices to close for failure to comply with health regulations. A number of items used for cooking and mixing alcoholic drinks were seized:

The items included:

  1. Expired/dented: Carnation evaporated milk – 63 cans
  2. Expired: Bluebird orange juice – 10 bottles
  3. 60 lbs. of raw and cooked meat (chicken and pork) – held at improper temperatures
  4. 20 lbs. of raw meat (fish, beef, and pork) – held at improper temperatures

The Environmental Health Department Closure Notice Ordinance states:

Failure to comply with this closure notice may result in one or more of the following as outlined in the Food & Drug Ordinance 2016, Part III (Sections 31 & 32).

A person who commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine of $10,000 (ten thousand dollars) or to a term of imprisonment for 12 (twelve) months or both.

If a person is convicted of an offence under this ordinance the court may on conviction, and on an application by or on behalf of the Chief Environmental Health Officer (Director) order that any license the person holds to operate such a business be suspended for a period specified in the order, or revoked.

These collaborative activities form part of  “Operation Pursuit”.

Operation Pursuit involves a Multi-Agency operational framework, designed to locate, identify, and process persons engaged in ALL illegal activities within the TCI. These operations entail a collaborative effort from all our essential partners at the re-established Turks Caicos Islands Joint Law Enforcement Group (J-LEG).

 

Release: RTCIPF

Continue Reading

Caribbean News

Girl who allegedly started the Guyana Dormitory charged with murder; second court hearing on July 5th

Published

on

Rashaed Esson

Staff Writer

 

 

#Guyana, June 5, 2023 – The case against the 15 year old girl charged with 19 counts of murder from last week’s fire at the Mahdia Secondary School in Guyana, was adjourned to July 5th by Magistrate Sunil Scarce.

The name of the suspect can not be revealed under Guyanese law which prohibits the naming of juvenile accused people or convicts. However, given that she is older than 14 years, it is allowed for her to be charged with murder.

The blaze was allegedly started by her on May 21st, in anger with the dorm administrator over the confiscation of her mobile phone.

She went before the Diamond Magistrate’s Court over zoom, and was not required to enter a plea.

However, come July 5th when the case resumes, it will be for statement and disclosure. State and defense lawyers will indicate whether they are ready to start a preliminary trial. If she is found guilty, it will be a lifetime in prison for her.

Continue Reading

FIND US ON FACEBOOK

TRENDING