Digital Assets Businessman Could Face 18 Months In Prison For Careless Driving & Drinking Alcohol, Causing The Death Of A Cyclist

By Alric Lindsay

Canadian Blockchain entrepreneur Samir Jaffer Bandali appeared in the Grand Court on May 30, 2025, to learn that he may face up to 18 months in prison for causing the death of a cyclist by careless driving.  Alternatively, if the court considers his attorney’s argument, Bandali may, instead, get a 24-hour house arrest or home detention order. Justice Richards will consider all arguments and hand down a final sentence on June 20, 2025.

Background

Explaining the background, Kenneth Ferguson, Crown Counsel from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, said that on the night of March 7, 2023, Bandali was out with friends and consumed several draft beers.

After visiting Rackhams and Pobo Jebs, Bandali drove along West Bay road in the direction of his home on Lizard Run in West Bay.

Bandali collided with a cyclist in the vicinity of Fidel Murphy’s.

Reportedly, Bandali did not immediately stop his Jeep Cherokee.  He only stopped when his female passenger began to scream and tell him to stop.

The female passenger exited the vehicle after he stopped it and returned to the scene of the fatal collision.  She subsequently gave an account to the police.

Reportedly, Bandali abandoned the vehicle and went to his apartment, where he went to bed.

Bandali was eventually arrested at his apartment at 5 am and taken to the Cayman Islands Detention Centre.

Reportedly, Bandali did an alcohol breath test at the detention centre, where his reading was 0.152%.

Reflecting on the incident, Bandali reportedly acknowledged that alcohol impacted his ability to drive safely and his momentary inattention led to the collision with the cyclist.

In the circumstances, DPP Crown Counsel Kenneth Ferguson noted that the offence made Bandali liable to a fine of ten thousand dollars or to imprisonment for a term of seven years or, to both, and, in addition, Bandali shall be automatically be disqualified from holding or obtaining a driver’s licence for at least three years.

DPP Crown Counsel Kenneth Ferguson also asked the court to take into account the following:

• Bandali has three traffic convictions for speeding, in April and August 2019, and in June 2021.
• Bandali left the scene of the accident.
• Bandali’s vehicle had no insurance (the certificate of insurance expired in September 2021).
• Bandali’s vehicle registration expired in February 2022.
• The certificate of roadworthiness expired in April 2022.

Notwithstanding the above, which could have typically acted as aggravating factors to increase a sentence of this type, DPP Crown Counsel Kenneth Ferguson noted that indications were given at a previous Good Year Hearing that the court would consider a maximum sentence of 18 months. Therefore, Bandali’s final sentence is unlikely to be higher than 18 months.

Arguing on Bandali’s behalf and contrary to DPP Crown Counsel Kenneth Ferguson’s argument, Defence Counsel Jonathon Hughes suggested that, based on a previous court judgment, the starting point for Bandali’s sentence should be 15 months.  Alternatively, the court could consider placing Bandali on 24 home detention instead of prison.

Hughes asked the court to consider the fact that Bandali accepted responsibility for the offence and expressed remorse.  Further, Bandali has been emotionally impacted by the incident and sought counselling to address feelings of guilt, grief and depression.  He also reached out to the victim’s friends to offer an apology.

Hughes also referred to the character references provided to the court, which painted Bandali as “a very enterprising” and well-thought-of individual who is proactive in his community. He has also made a significant contribution through his work, building a strong community in the digital assets and financial technology sector.

Hughes then noted that, instead of a prison sentence, the court could consider placing Bandali on a 24-hour detention (presumably, some sort of house arrest or home detention).

Hughes explained that the reason for making this suggestion is that in June 2024, Bandali woke up one morning and could not walk.  He was referred to a neurosurgeon who identified that Bandali has a degenerative spinal problem.

Hughes added, “One of the consequences was severe shooting pain down his right leg caused by pressure on the nerve and spine.”

Hughes continued: “By October of last year, his entire right leg was numb, and he had surgery on his back in December that relieved the pressure on the nerve group but hasn’t resolved the issue.”

 Hughes concluded:

And as a result he has to access specialist physiotherapy using a particular specialist machine which is available at one location and he does that three times per week. As well as his own physiotherapy, he’s also on very significant medication.

… I’ve been told that it’s a kind of medication which the prison authority may be reluctant to have in prison.

Bandali is scheduled to be sentenced on June 20, 2025.

Note to readers:

Causing death by careless driving is covered under section 79 of the Traffic Act. This states:

Causing death by careless driving or inconsiderate driving

79. (1) A person who drives a vehicle or animal on a road without care and attention, or without reasonable consideration for other persons, and by so doing causes the death of another person commits an offence.

(2) A constable may arrest without warrant a person whom that constable has reasonable grounds to believe has committed an offence under subsection (1).

(3) An offence under subsection (1) is triable only on indictment and upon conviction the offender is liable to a fine of ten thousand dollars or to imprisonment for a term of seven years or, to both, and, in addition — (a) shall, without an order by a court, automatically be disqualified from holding or obtaining a driver’s licence for at least three years, the period of disqualification to run from the expiration of a sentence of imprisonment, as the court may order; and (b) the particulars of the offence shall be endorsed on that person’s driving record.

Share on Facebook

Post on X