The Tribune

By NICO SCAVELLA

Tribune Staff Reporter

nscavella@tribunemedia.net

A MAN was remanded to prison yesterday charged with holding up at gunpoint the proprietor of a photo studio on Carmichael Road and robbing him of over $200,000 last week.

George Bennet Delva Sr, 44, of Blair Estates, was charged before Chief Magistrate Joyann Ferguson-Pratt with robbing Charles Sawyers’ Portraits-a-La Sawyers photo studio at gunpoint of $203,028 cash on February 11.

Delva was further charged with being in possession of an unlicensed, silver and black Smith and Wesson 9mm pistol, as well as three unfired rounds of 9mm ammunition on February 11. He is further charged with indecently assaulting a 26-year-old woman during the incident.

Initial reports from police said before 8.15am on the day in question, two men entered Portraits-a-La Sawyers photo studio dressed in white jumpsuits and claiming to be window cleaners. They held up the proprietor and a worker, it was previously reported.

Police shot a suspect at the scene while an officer was injured during a struggle with one of the suspects, police said.

The injured officer got medical assistance while the wounded suspect was taken to the hospital.

Delva was not required to enter a plea to the charges and the matter was adjourned to April 1 for service of a voluntary bill of indictment (VBI). Bail was denied and he was remanded to the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services in the interim. He has a right to apply to the Supreme Court for bail. Delva is represented by attorney Dion Smith.