(CMR) A 34-year-old Cuban national, Yusmaidys Ortiz Perez, who deserted her cruise ship on March 22 was sentenced to 3 months imprisonment on Friday despite claims that she feared for her life.
Perez who is a beverage server on the MSC Opera remained in Grand Cayman after her ship departed March 22. She was located 12 days later in West Bay.
She appeared last Friday before Magistrate Adam Roberts and gave several reasons for wanting to abandon her ship. First, she explained that her Cuban partner erroneously believes that she is having a personal relationship with her manager and had threatened to kill her as a result. He was informed by other Cuban crew of the alleged relationship which she denies.
She further told the court that she was also being exploited and forced to work long 11 hour shifts and in constant fear of losing her job. She claims to have been assisted by strangers during her stay on Grand Cayman.
Magistrate Roberts expressed some sympathy for her but sentenced the cruise ship worker to three months imprisonment.
Perez was offered an interpreter but declined as she was able to speak English and was represented by Defense attorney Prathna Bodden.
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