Read storyAfter he was sentenced to four years in prison, a man ran from the court in an attempt to escape but instead got an extra year.
Carlos Holbert, 21, was given the four-year sentence for stealing a $50 bag, a $35 watch and two pairs of glasses, together worth $400. The items were taken from the car of Rose Ferguson in July last year.
After hearing the sentence, Holbert ran from court 5 on Bank Lane and witnesses said he jumped from the second story stairway.
Police in Bank Lane quickly caught him and took him back to court where Magistrate Derrence Rolle added a year to his sentence.
Prosecutors said Holbert was convicted of a similar crime last year.
Police said Holbert could be charged with escape and could be sentenced to an additional two years.
-Guardian
-Full Story in The Tribune here (Page A01)
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Robin Hood pays customers to take new bus route
Read storyA new bus route will provide easy access to the Robin Hood discount store and more options for residents of Cowpen and Marshall Roads.
To encourage use of the new route, Robin Hood has committed to pay for the bus rides of people who use the service to shop at the store.
President of the Public Transit Authority Reuben Rahming said drivers are making less than 15% of what they would make on other routes. But he said, "We are confident that with the volume of shoppers who are committed to the Robin Hood brand, things will soon pick up."
The new route, known as 22A, will be serviced by ten franchises.
It will take the following route:
-Guardian
To encourage use of the new route, Robin Hood has committed to pay for the bus rides of people who use the service to shop at the store.
President of the Public Transit Authority Reuben Rahming said drivers are making less than 15% of what they would make on other routes. But he said, "We are confident that with the volume of shoppers who are committed to the Robin Hood brand, things will soon pick up."
The new route, known as 22A, will be serviced by ten franchises.
It will take the following route:
- The former straw market on Bay street
- Elizabeth Avenue
- Market Street
- Wulff Road
- Poinciana Drive
- Thompson Boulevard
- Bethel Avenue
- Mckinney Avenue
- Christie Street
- Tonique Williams Darling Highway
- Milo Butler Highway
- Faith Avenue
- Marshall Road
- Baillou Hill Road
- Cowpen Road
-Guardian
Free rock climbing training at Atlantis
Read storyStarting this month, anyone between ages seven and 18 is welcome to try the Sky Climbers program on Paradise Island – free of charge.
Since it opened In September last year, 670 children have participated through schools and youth groups.
But after February 21, the program will be available on a first come, first serve basis.
Sky Climbers operations consultant Nick Sagar said children who have already climbed the wall are welcome to climb again and so are parents.
Sagar encouraged schools to sign up: "We want to reach out to more schools. It's free and they just need to transport the kids to us."
The program is currently open from 10am-6pm, Monday – Saturday. It is located on the old Club Med grounds on Paradise Island. Persons under 14 years old must be accompanied by a parent.
Funding for Sky Climbers is provided by the Butch Kerzner Foundation. Rock climbing was a passion of Kerzner's who learned from Sagar.
Mr Kerzner's widow, Vanessa, wanted young people to have access to the training.
Sagar had designed personalized climbing walls in the former Atlantis executive's home.
-Full Story in The Tribune here (Page A05)
Since it opened In September last year, 670 children have participated through schools and youth groups.
But after February 21, the program will be available on a first come, first serve basis.
Sky Climbers operations consultant Nick Sagar said children who have already climbed the wall are welcome to climb again and so are parents.
Sagar encouraged schools to sign up: "We want to reach out to more schools. It's free and they just need to transport the kids to us."
The program is currently open from 10am-6pm, Monday – Saturday. It is located on the old Club Med grounds on Paradise Island. Persons under 14 years old must be accompanied by a parent.
Funding for Sky Climbers is provided by the Butch Kerzner Foundation. Rock climbing was a passion of Kerzner's who learned from Sagar.
Mr Kerzner's widow, Vanessa, wanted young people to have access to the training.
Sagar had designed personalized climbing walls in the former Atlantis executive's home.
-Full Story in The Tribune here (Page A05)
Teacher accused of molestation resigns
Read storyA male teacher accused of molesting two of his male students has resigned according to a Ministry of Education statement.
The statement said the teacher was placed on leave and transferred to New Providence after the accusations were made. Formerly he taught at Eight Mile Rock High School.
The teacher was arrested and released during the investigation, which is still going on.
Since his arrest, the Ministry has required the teacher to sign in at its head office on a daily basis. Last week Wednesday, he resigned.
The Ministry has been criticized for the way it has handled the case. On Thursday of last week, the president of the Parent Teachers Association in Grand Bahama, Troy Garvey, called for the resignation of Education Director Lionel Sands and Education Minister Carl Bethel.
Garvey said: "Not one thing has been dealt with appropriately by the ministry from the issues at Eight Mile Rock High School started."
Defending its actions, the Ministry said the police force is responsible for investigation and prosecution.
See other CBN stories about this subject here.
-Guardian
The statement said the teacher was placed on leave and transferred to New Providence after the accusations were made. Formerly he taught at Eight Mile Rock High School.
The teacher was arrested and released during the investigation, which is still going on.
Since his arrest, the Ministry has required the teacher to sign in at its head office on a daily basis. Last week Wednesday, he resigned.
The Ministry has been criticized for the way it has handled the case. On Thursday of last week, the president of the Parent Teachers Association in Grand Bahama, Troy Garvey, called for the resignation of Education Director Lionel Sands and Education Minister Carl Bethel.
Garvey said: "Not one thing has been dealt with appropriately by the ministry from the issues at Eight Mile Rock High School started."
Defending its actions, the Ministry said the police force is responsible for investigation and prosecution.
See other CBN stories about this subject here.
-Guardian
Man found at the bottom of pool
Read storyA man was found at the bottom of his employer's pool last week Friday.
Jay Albury, who lives near the home, said around 10.15am he heard his neighbor's pool cleaner calling for help.
Albury and the pool cleaner, Hubel Duncombe, saw a man face down at the bottom of the pool, a broom next to him.
Albury brought the man to the surface and the two men pulled him out. He said the man was not breathing.
Emergency Medical workers were not able to resuscitate the man, who residents said was a gardener named Willy thought to be in his late 40s to early 50s.
Officers at the scene said they will wait for autopsy results to determine the cause of death. However, Detective Corporal Adderley said there were no signs of injury and foul play was not suspected.
-Full Story in The Tribune here (Page A01)
Jay Albury, who lives near the home, said around 10.15am he heard his neighbor's pool cleaner calling for help.
Albury and the pool cleaner, Hubel Duncombe, saw a man face down at the bottom of the pool, a broom next to him.
Albury brought the man to the surface and the two men pulled him out. He said the man was not breathing.
Emergency Medical workers were not able to resuscitate the man, who residents said was a gardener named Willy thought to be in his late 40s to early 50s.
Officers at the scene said they will wait for autopsy results to determine the cause of death. However, Detective Corporal Adderley said there were no signs of injury and foul play was not suspected.
-Full Story in The Tribune here (Page A01)
Ex-prison officer charged with recent stabbing murder
Read storyJerome Bethel was charged with the killing of Gary Gardiner, who was stabbed during a fight on February 11.
Bethel, 36, was remanded to custody. He will return to court on March 3rd.
Bethel's lawyer, Tai Pinder, asked that his client be held in the hospital section of the prison for his safety.
Bethel was a prison officer from 1995-2001.
Vincent Peet, the Member of Parliament for North Andros and the Berry Islands said Gardiner's death has been deeply felt.
"His sudden death has sent shockwaves through North Andros . . . He was a supporter of mine but more importantly he was someone who was always willing to help," Peet said.
See other CBN stories about this subject here.
-Full Story in The Tribune here (Page A01)
-Guardian
Bethel, 36, was remanded to custody. He will return to court on March 3rd.
Bethel's lawyer, Tai Pinder, asked that his client be held in the hospital section of the prison for his safety.
Bethel was a prison officer from 1995-2001.
Vincent Peet, the Member of Parliament for North Andros and the Berry Islands said Gardiner's death has been deeply felt.
"His sudden death has sent shockwaves through North Andros . . . He was a supporter of mine but more importantly he was someone who was always willing to help," Peet said.
See other CBN stories about this subject here.
-Full Story in The Tribune here (Page A01)
-Guardian
Man accused of stealing $30,000 from Super Value
Read storySamuel Davis was charged with stealing nearly $30,000 from Super Value food store over a 4-month period.
Davis, 42, pled not guilty to accusations that he used his job at the Golden Gates store to take $29,377.87 between September 2007 and January 2008.
He was granted $15,000 bail. His case was adjourned to May 27.
-Guardian
Davis, 42, pled not guilty to accusations that he used his job at the Golden Gates store to take $29,377.87 between September 2007 and January 2008.
He was granted $15,000 bail. His case was adjourned to May 27.
-Guardian
Friday, February 13, 2009
Murder suspects sentenced to 12 years for robbery
Read storyFor their part in the attempted robbery of the Fantasy Club on Mackey Street, two men were sentenced to 12 years each Thursday.
Jamal Ambrister and Jacob Woodside were convicted by a unanimous decision last November. The attempted holdup took place in January, 2007.
The pair will have to be retried for two murders that prosecutors say are connected to the robbery. Jurors did not reach a verdict on those charges.
According to evidence, the club's guard, Emico Russell, was shot in the chest when he would not open the entrance gate for two armed men.
After the attack, the men left in Ford Explorer that was registered to Shervin Miller Jr. Miller's body was found dumped in bushes near South Ocean.
During the trial, prosecutors played a tape of Ambrister and Woodside leading them to the body. But they claim that police beat them into admitting the robbery.
-Full Story in The Nassau Guardian here
Jamal Ambrister and Jacob Woodside were convicted by a unanimous decision last November. The attempted holdup took place in January, 2007.
The pair will have to be retried for two murders that prosecutors say are connected to the robbery. Jurors did not reach a verdict on those charges.
According to evidence, the club's guard, Emico Russell, was shot in the chest when he would not open the entrance gate for two armed men.
After the attack, the men left in Ford Explorer that was registered to Shervin Miller Jr. Miller's body was found dumped in bushes near South Ocean.
During the trial, prosecutors played a tape of Ambrister and Woodside leading them to the body. But they claim that police beat them into admitting the robbery.
-Full Story in The Nassau Guardian here
Argument ends with stabbing death
Read storyA man was stabbed to death during an argument Wednesday night.
Police said the fight took place around 9 o'clock in the Cowpen Road area.
Reports are that North Andros resident Harold Gardiner, 49, was arguing with a 36-year-old in a yard on at Williams Drive.
The row turned to an attack and Gardiner was stabbed several times. Emergency Medical staff found him lifeless on his back in the yard.
The other man in the argument later went to the East Street Police Station where he was detained.
Gardiner's sister, Maureen Prescott, said he was a calm person that walked away from fights.
She said Gardiner was hired to work on a roof in Nassau.
-Full Story in The Tribune here (Page A01)
Police said the fight took place around 9 o'clock in the Cowpen Road area.
Reports are that North Andros resident Harold Gardiner, 49, was arguing with a 36-year-old in a yard on at Williams Drive.
The row turned to an attack and Gardiner was stabbed several times. Emergency Medical staff found him lifeless on his back in the yard.
The other man in the argument later went to the East Street Police Station where he was detained.
Gardiner's sister, Maureen Prescott, said he was a calm person that walked away from fights.
She said Gardiner was hired to work on a roof in Nassau.
-Full Story in The Tribune here (Page A01)
$8 million of cocaine on Haitian vessel
Read storyBahamian and American officers found more than 400 kilograms of cocaine on a Haitian boat Thursday morning.
The vessel was near Great Inagua when it was stopped.
After making the find, worth more than $8 million, police arrested five men and one woman.
Later, authorities found more drugs aboard another vessel. Police said it also had a large amount of cocaine but did not say how much.
-Full Story in The Nassau Guardian here
-Full Story in The Tribune here (Page A01)
The vessel was near Great Inagua when it was stopped.
After making the find, worth more than $8 million, police arrested five men and one woman.
Later, authorities found more drugs aboard another vessel. Police said it also had a large amount of cocaine but did not say how much.
-Full Story in The Nassau Guardian here
-Full Story in The Tribune here (Page A01)
COURT BRIEFS: Stolen groceries, Anger classes
Read storyTwo women pled guilty to stealing $286 in groceries from the Harbour Bay location of City Markets food store on Thursday.
Chief Magistrate Roger Gomez said he would allow the women – one 25 and the other 28 - to keep the incident off their criminal records if they completed three months of counseling.
Boyfriend sent to anger classes
Alfreda Moxey told Magistrate Gomez that she wanted to drop charges of causing harm against her boyfriend.
Moxey, 24, made a complaint in September last year that Jeffrey King had caused her harm.
Gomez said the case would be dismissed if King spends three months in anger management sessions. He advised Moxey to go with him.
Both cases go back to court on April 9th.
-Full Story in The Nassau Guardian here
Chief Magistrate Roger Gomez said he would allow the women – one 25 and the other 28 - to keep the incident off their criminal records if they completed three months of counseling.
Boyfriend sent to anger classes
Alfreda Moxey told Magistrate Gomez that she wanted to drop charges of causing harm against her boyfriend.
Moxey, 24, made a complaint in September last year that Jeffrey King had caused her harm.
Gomez said the case would be dismissed if King spends three months in anger management sessions. He advised Moxey to go with him.
Both cases go back to court on April 9th.
-Full Story in The Nassau Guardian here
102 detained in immigrations raids
Read storyMore than 100 Haitians were arrested in three areas on Thursday.
Raids by the Department of Immigration in the Cowpen Road, Peardale and Nassau Street areas led to the detainment of 63 men, 15 women and five children, all Haitian.
Two Jamaicans and 17 Filipinos were also arrested.
Immigration Director Jack Thompson said the department will continue with these kinds of operations. Thompson said the raids are directed at all foreigners in The Bahamas illegally.
-Full Story in The Nassau Guardian here
Raids by the Department of Immigration in the Cowpen Road, Peardale and Nassau Street areas led to the detainment of 63 men, 15 women and five children, all Haitian.
Two Jamaicans and 17 Filipinos were also arrested.
Immigration Director Jack Thompson said the department will continue with these kinds of operations. Thompson said the raids are directed at all foreigners in The Bahamas illegally.
-Full Story in The Nassau Guardian here
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Suicide autopsies released
Read storyThe cause of death in all three of the recent suicide cases was "asphyxia due to hanging", according to Chief Superintendent of Police Glen Miller.
Miller said the police are still investigating and are not ready to classify the deaths as suicides.
On January 22, Nikita Brennen was found dead in what looked like a suicide by hanging. Eight days later Leslie Campbell was found in much the same way at his home and Kimberley Miller the day after, also in her home, also apparently hanged.
-Full Story in The Nassau Guardian here
Miller said the police are still investigating and are not ready to classify the deaths as suicides.
On January 22, Nikita Brennen was found dead in what looked like a suicide by hanging. Eight days later Leslie Campbell was found in much the same way at his home and Kimberley Miller the day after, also in her home, also apparently hanged.
-Full Story in The Nassau Guardian here
Witnesses changing stories in court out of fear
Read storyWitnesses are telling police one thing and the courts another, according to Assistant Police Commissioner Raymond Gibson.
Gibson said the most recent example was the murder trial of Samuel "Mouche" McKenzie. The case was discharged due to lack of evidence.
Gibson said that witnesses told the court a different story than the one had told police. Theses witnesses will are now facing perjury charges.
"Action will be taken against them. When we find witnesses doing stuff like that, they must be held accountable," Gibson said.
The senior officer said three lawyers have also been questioned in connection with witness tampering.
Gibson said there are various reasons that witnesses change their story, including a fear of attack.
Leander Culmer was paralyzed in a shooting attack that came in the months after he testified against Angelo "Nasty" Brennen in 2005.
Culmer has filed a suit against the Police Force and the Office of the Attorney General accusing them of negligence.
Chief Superintendent Glenn Miller, the head of the Central Detective Unit, admitted recently that witness intimidation was a growing trend that could "bring the country to its knees" if left unchecked.
-Full Story in The Nassau Guardian here
Gibson said the most recent example was the murder trial of Samuel "Mouche" McKenzie. The case was discharged due to lack of evidence.
Gibson said that witnesses told the court a different story than the one had told police. Theses witnesses will are now facing perjury charges.
"Action will be taken against them. When we find witnesses doing stuff like that, they must be held accountable," Gibson said.
The senior officer said three lawyers have also been questioned in connection with witness tampering.
Gibson said there are various reasons that witnesses change their story, including a fear of attack.
Leander Culmer was paralyzed in a shooting attack that came in the months after he testified against Angelo "Nasty" Brennen in 2005.
Culmer has filed a suit against the Police Force and the Office of the Attorney General accusing them of negligence.
Chief Superintendent Glenn Miller, the head of the Central Detective Unit, admitted recently that witness intimidation was a growing trend that could "bring the country to its knees" if left unchecked.
-Full Story in The Nassau Guardian here
US wants extradition of Canadian accused of $41 million fraud
Read storyAmerican authorities are asking The Bahamas to hand over a Canadian man accused of participating in a $41 million fraud scheme.
Dean Sheptycki appeared in court Wednesday, where Magistrate Carolita Bethel informed him that an Oklahoma court issued a warrant for his arrest on January 15.
Sheptycki was remanded to jail, where he will remain at least until Monday, when he will appear for a bail hearing.
Dean Sheptycki is one of five men accused with conspiracy to commit securities fraud; wire fraud; and money laundering.
All but one of the other four men accused in the case were arrested on Tuesday; two in Oklahoma and one in Kentucky.
-Full Story in The Nassau Guardian here
Read more here courtesy of www.chron.com.
Dean Sheptycki appeared in court Wednesday, where Magistrate Carolita Bethel informed him that an Oklahoma court issued a warrant for his arrest on January 15.
Sheptycki was remanded to jail, where he will remain at least until Monday, when he will appear for a bail hearing.
Dean Sheptycki is one of five men accused with conspiracy to commit securities fraud; wire fraud; and money laundering.
All but one of the other four men accused in the case were arrested on Tuesday; two in Oklahoma and one in Kentucky.
-Full Story in The Nassau Guardian here
Read more here courtesy of www.chron.com.
Corrupt policemen stop investigation of numbers houses
Read storyCorrupt police officers are stopping subordinates from investigating numbers houses and gambling according to a source within the police force.
The source told The Tribune about a recent visit to a prominent numbers house. After asking the officer what he was doing there, an employee told the policeman he had already "paid the boss".
The officer said things like that happen all the time. He said that in some cases superior officers have called junior policemen and told them not to hassle the establishment again.
Acting Commissioner Reginald Ferguson said it is important to note the difference between corruption and suggestions that the police force has agreed not to prosecute numbers houses.
Commissioner Ferguson has said he is committed to weed out corruption and prosecute officers to the full extent of the law.
-Full Story in The Tribune here (Page A03)
The source told The Tribune about a recent visit to a prominent numbers house. After asking the officer what he was doing there, an employee told the policeman he had already "paid the boss".
The officer said things like that happen all the time. He said that in some cases superior officers have called junior policemen and told them not to hassle the establishment again.
Acting Commissioner Reginald Ferguson said it is important to note the difference between corruption and suggestions that the police force has agreed not to prosecute numbers houses.
Commissioner Ferguson has said he is committed to weed out corruption and prosecute officers to the full extent of the law.
-Full Story in The Tribune here (Page A03)
Police complaints unit will have no policemen in it
Read storyA proposed Police Complaints Inspectorate will have the power to request documents and call witnesses.
The group would include five people appointed by the Governor General. Except for one person, who may be a retired officer, policemen are barred from the group as is anyone who been elected to a political office within 5 years.
One group member is expected to be an attorney with at least ten years of experience.
The proposed Inspectorate is part of the Police Force Act 2009 currently being debated in the Senate.
-Full Story in The Tribune here (Page A01)
The group would include five people appointed by the Governor General. Except for one person, who may be a retired officer, policemen are barred from the group as is anyone who been elected to a political office within 5 years.
One group member is expected to be an attorney with at least ten years of experience.
The proposed Inspectorate is part of the Police Force Act 2009 currently being debated in the Senate.
-Full Story in The Tribune here (Page A01)
PLP Members of Parliament choose not to vote on police law
Read storyMembers of the Progressive Liberal Party chose not to participate during Wednesday's vote on the Police Force Act 2009.
Opposition Leader Perry Christie said: "We abstained because we support all of the provisions of the bill save and except the bill's clause 7, which seeks to limit the term of the commissioner of police and the deputy commissioner of police to two five-year terms.
"We believe that provision is unconstitutional. We attempted in committee to delete it from the bill, but the government refused to budge."
Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham said he does not think it should be possible to appoint someone that cannot be removed for 20 years.
Ingraham said under Bahamian law a person with the power to appoint also has the power to decide the length of the appointment.
The Prime Minister said that a person may serve as Commissioner for more than 10 years but not consecutively.
Despite the PLP MP's decision not to vote, an FNM majority meant the bill was passed and is now before the Senate.
-Full Story in The Nassau Guardian here
Opposition Leader Perry Christie said: "We abstained because we support all of the provisions of the bill save and except the bill's clause 7, which seeks to limit the term of the commissioner of police and the deputy commissioner of police to two five-year terms.
"We believe that provision is unconstitutional. We attempted in committee to delete it from the bill, but the government refused to budge."
Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham said he does not think it should be possible to appoint someone that cannot be removed for 20 years.
Ingraham said under Bahamian law a person with the power to appoint also has the power to decide the length of the appointment.
The Prime Minister said that a person may serve as Commissioner for more than 10 years but not consecutively.
Despite the PLP MP's decision not to vote, an FNM majority meant the bill was passed and is now before the Senate.
-Full Story in The Nassau Guardian here
Spain said using Bahamas beach photo was not a lie
Read story
Spain's tourism board admitted it used a photo of a beach in The Bahamas to encourage travel to its north-east coast.
But the move has not upset Tourism Director General Vernice Walkine, who said: "We're actually flattered because what it says is that our beaches are sort of representative of the best beaches in the world.
Dolors Batallé, the director of the Costa Brava Girona tourism board, defended their decision to use the photo. Batallé said the photo illustrated the conceptual concept that they were going for.
According to a story on the Guardian's (United Kingdom publication) website, Batelle said it would be wicked to suggest that the board had tried to hide the truth.
Costa Brava translates to 'Rugged/Wild Coast'.
-Full Story in The Nassau Guardian here
-Full Story in The Tribune here (Page A06)
-Link to the story in the (UK) Guardian here
-Link to a guess where it was taken game based on the story here
The photo composite that includes a Bahamian beach.
Spain's tourism board admitted it used a photo of a beach in The Bahamas to encourage travel to its north-east coast.
But the move has not upset Tourism Director General Vernice Walkine, who said: "We're actually flattered because what it says is that our beaches are sort of representative of the best beaches in the world.
Dolors Batallé, the director of the Costa Brava Girona tourism board, defended their decision to use the photo. Batallé said the photo illustrated the conceptual concept that they were going for.
According to a story on the Guardian's (United Kingdom publication) website, Batelle said it would be wicked to suggest that the board had tried to hide the truth.
Costa Brava translates to 'Rugged/Wild Coast'.
-Full Story in The Nassau Guardian here
-Full Story in The Tribune here (Page A06)
-Link to the story in the (UK) Guardian here
-Link to a guess where it was taken game based on the story here
Gunmen rob woman of cash/car
Read storyGRAND BAHAMA: A woman was robbed of her money and car Tuesday night.
At about 8 o'clock police were sent to the Gambler Loop area. The victim told officers that she had just gotten home when two masked men with handguns approached her.
They searched her house and left with cash and the woman's green 2000 Dodge Caravan.
-Full Story in The Nassau Guardian here
At about 8 o'clock police were sent to the Gambler Loop area. The victim told officers that she had just gotten home when two masked men with handguns approached her.
They searched her house and left with cash and the woman's green 2000 Dodge Caravan.
-Full Story in The Nassau Guardian here
