Trio charged in attacks on Surrey sex trade workers

Gurjinder Sodha, Sukhraj Singh Chahal and Simranpreet Singh Dhillon are accused in a pair of violent sexual assaults against sex trade workers from 2012. (Handout)

Three men accused of picking up sex trade workers and violently sexually assaulting them have been arrested and charged in Surrey.

Mounties said they are aware of two incidents where women were picked up by a pair of strangers, driven to a secluded area and physically and sexually attacked.

The first took place on Aug. 12, 2012, when a sex worker was picked up near King George Boulevard and 91st Avenue, taken to Colebrook Road and assaulted.

Two months later, on Oct. 18, another woman was picked up near King George Boulevard and 105th Avenue and also driven to Colebrook Road.

The second victim suffered injuries so serious she was forced to spend a lengthy recovery in hospital, RCMP said.

Simranpreet Singh Dhillon is accused in both attacks, while Sukhraj Singh Chahal and Gurjinder Sodha each allegedly took part in one assault.

The trio has been charged with 17 counts combined.

Dillon is charged with aggravated sexual assault and two counts each of sexual assault with a weapon, possessing a weapon with a dangerous purpose, uttering threats and unlawful confinement.

Chahal and Sodha are both charged with one count of sexual assault with a weapon, unlawful confinement and robbery.

Surrey RCMP said its Child Abuse and Sexual Offence Unit has been in regular contact with sex trade workers during its investigation to enhance their safety, and that those efforts are ongoing.

Investigators are also concerned there are more victims who haven’t come forward. Anyone who believes they were attacked by Dhillon, Chahal or Sodha is encouraged to speak to RCMP.

Victims can contact the Sexual Offence Unit at 604-599-0502, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS if they wish to remain anonymous.