Suspended sentence for Cayman Islands House Speaker McKeeva Bush

GEORGE TOWN, Cayman Islands, CMC – The Speaker of the House in the Cayman Islands, McKeeva Bush, was on Monday given a suspended sentence for three assault charges levelled against him following an altercation at a local bar earlier this year.

When he appeared in court, Bush was actually sentenced to two months’ imprisonment on each assault charge to run concurrently, which was suspended for two years.

Although the veteran politician was not sentenced to jail, he will have a conviction recorded against him. 

He was also ordered to adhere to a curfew of 6:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. Monday through Sunday for the next two months and was fined US$700 for disorderly conduct.

Part of his house arrest will count towards the suspended sentence as the magistrate added a doorstep condition, which would allow authorities to check on his whereabouts.

The Member of Parliament for West Bay West will also have to pay $4,279 in compensation to the victim for medical expenses and emotional distress.

In addition, Bush was given an exemption from the curfew if parliament sits beyond 6:00 p.m., but he must be home within an hour of the House’s suspension.

In passing sentence on Bush, Summary Court Magistrate Kristy Gunn described the veteran lawmaker’s behaviour as “shameful”, saying that to not record a conviction against Bush would “entirely send the wrong message.” 

She added that he had no one else to blame for the sentence but himself as he was highly intoxicated.

Bush had previously pleaded guilty to two of the three assault charges that were laid against him following the February incident involving the female manager at Coral Beach on West Bay Road.

Bush had pleaded not guilty to the first count of common assault.

On that score, it was reported that the politician grabbed the bar manager by her hair and punched her in the face several times. 

Gunn said that she convicted Bush of the offence based on the facts presented and the video evidence.

To not register a conviction against him, she said, would only serve to “undermine public confidence in the justice system.”

Bush’s attorney, Michael Alberga, had previously told the court that a conviction could have implications for Bush’s official travel or travel with his wife for medical attention. 

While Gunn said she understood, she believes it is a consequence Bush would have to bear for his actions.

His status and exemplary record, she contended, did not absolve him of that.

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