Man Denies String of Charges Including Threats to Kill Police In Cayman Brac

By Alric Lindsay

Bently Ottmar Tatum appeared in the Summary Court today, July 16, 2026, and pled not guilty to a series of charges, including threatening to kill a police officer, threatening serious harm to another, insulting a woman’s modesty and burglary.

The first charge concerned an allegation of causing fear or provocation of violence. Code. The particulars stated that on December 1, 2025, Tatum used abusive or insulting words and behaviour towards a woman in Spot Bay, Cayman Brac, with intent to cause her to believe that immediate and unlawful violence would be used against her.

He also faced a charge of insulting the modesty of a woman. The particulars alleged that on April 15, 2026 in Cayman Brac, Tatum uttered words to PC McDonald, intending the words to be heard by her and to intrude upon her privacy.

In relation to Tatum’s threatening to cause serious harm charge, it was alleged that on April 15, 2026 in Cayman Brac, he made a threat to  PC McDonald, saying: “you’re going to get sliced up.”

Regarding the threatening to kill charge, this related to the same date and location and named PS Mendez as the complainant. It was alleged Tatum said, in order to cause fear the threat would be carried out: “I will kill you… batty boy, you are dead.”

A further charge of disorderly conduct at a police station alleged that 15 April 15, 2026, Tatum used disorderly and insulting words towards PS Mendez and PC McDonald.

A charge of possession of Ganja was also listed,  however, the court heard that the only evidence available did not specify a location, weight or certificate of analysis for the substance said to have been found during a search of a property.  As a result, the charge could not properly be put to Tatum.

Tatum further faced a charge of burglary, with particulars alleging that on May 12, 2026 he entered a Spot Bay property as a trespasser and stole a number of items, including a box of Ritz crackers, a key chain, a pack of honey ham,  a sum of three Cayman dollars, and a ring.

A related charge of criminal trespass concerned the same address and alleged that Tatum entered without lawful business. Defence counsel Oliver Grimwood submitted that Tatum had been seen on CCTV walking across a garden, which Grimwood said was used as a shortcut, and initially argued there was no evidence linking him to the items reported missing. It is understood that defence counsel may seek a dismissal in relation to this matter.

The case was adjourned for further case management.

Note to readers

The defendant has pleaded not guilty, and this matter has not been tried.

Under section 7 of the Bill of Rights in the Cayman Islands Constitution (the Cayman Islands Constitution Order, 2009), every person charged with a criminal offence is presumed innocent until proved guilty according to law. The charges reported above are allegations that remain unproven, and nothing in this report should be taken as suggesting that the defendant is guilty.