B.C. man shot sex worker in the back during drug-fuelled birthday, court hears
A man from B.C.'s Lower Mainland has been sentenced to four years behind bars after shooting a sex worker in the back during a drug-fuelled 43rd birthday.
The violent incident unfolded in May 2021, as Varinder Singh Deo was celebrating his birthday in the garage of his Burnaby home, according to a B.C. Supreme Court decision posted online this week.
"He was drinking and consuming cocaine with a friend while his wife and children were sleeping in the house," wrote Associate Chief Justice Heather Holmes.
The court heard Deo invited an escort to his garage, and that two women – referred to by the initials B.K. and M.C. – arrived together on the understanding there were two men at the property.
But Deo quarrelled with B.K., accusing her of looking "different from the photograph posted online with her advertisement," Holmes wrote in her November 2023 decision.
Deo then argued over whether he should have to pay a cancellation fee. When the escort asked if she needed to call someone for help, Deo flashed a handgun in his waistband.
The court heard B.K. and M.C. then turned and were walking back toward their car when Deo opened fire in their direction, sending two bullets into his residential neighbourhood.
One of those bullets struck M.C. in her shoulder and exited through her chest.
Physical and emotional injuries
Holmes noted the victim's gunshot wound was serious, requiring three days of treatment in hospital and leaving her with nerve damage from her shoulder to fingertips.
"Scar tissue on her arm and in the middle of her chest are constant reminders of the trauma she suffered," the justice wrote.
"In addition to her physical injuries, M.C. has understandably been left with almost constant fear and paranoia, and a sense of being emotionally overwhelmed. She has difficulty being around people – for example, at gyms – and her relationships have deteriorated."
While B.K. was not physically injured, the court heard she, too, suffered a lasting emotional toll from the shooting.
"She will never forget her friend M.C. almost dying in the car, and asking her to tell her daughter she loves her," Holmes wrote.
B.K. has also struggled to trust men since the encounter, and will "no longer let a man stand behind her," the justice added.
Shooter's circumstances
The court hear Deo grew up in Vancouver and Burnaby with a supportive family, but developed a cocaine problem after turning 21 years old.
He battled addiction until getting clean in his late-20s for a period of around 12 years – then relapsed when he was 40.
"He began to use more and more frequently, often with friends, and would drink alcohol to come down from the high," Holmes wrote. "His wife was not happy about the situation, but appears to have been unaware of the full extent of his substance use."
Deo told police his violent outburst on the night of his 43rd birthday was prompted, in part, by a traumatic incident that happened after a previous attempt to hire an escort.
After arranging to meet the woman at an apartment, Deo said he arrived to find two men waiting for him. He was then robbed at knifepoint.
He later obtained his gun illegally through "peers from the drug subculture," in what the court heard was an "unfortunate decision to protect himself" against another robbery.
Factors in sentencing
Holmes noted several aggravating factors in the case, including that the victims had their backs turned when Deo shot at them, and that he drove away from the scene – while still under the influence of alcohol and cocaine – without checking to see if either woman was injured.
He also threw away his gun in what can "only be viewed as an attempt to conceal evidence," Holmes added.
"By doing so, he put the public at even greater risk, because the gun could have fallen into the wrong hands," she added. "It is in fact not known whether it did."
All told, the associate chief justice described Deo's behaviour as being "at the high end of recklessness."
However, Holmes also credited Deo for pleading guilty, abiding by his bail conditions, seeking treatment for his substance abuse issues, and expressing genuine remorse.
"Mr. Deo has developed clear insight into how he terrorized and harmed M.C. and B.K.," Holmes wrote. "I also accept that Mr. Deo is truly committed to the steps he has taken to remain sober, including by attending counselling."
In a pre-sentence report, a doctor assessed the shooter as being at a low risk of re-offending, provided that he remain sober.
On top of his four-year sentence, Deo was ordered to pay B.K. $7,732 in restitution to cover the bill for cleaning blood stains from the car she used to flee after the shooting.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
If you qualify for this tax credit, you can expect a payment in your bank account this week
The next quarterly GST/HST tax credit payment is expected to go out this week, according to the Canada Revenue Agency.
U.S. Supreme Court rules Trump has immunity for official, not private acts
The U.S. Supreme Court found on Monday that Donald Trump cannot be prosecuted for any actions that were within his constitutional powers as president, but can for private acts, in a landmark ruling recognizing for the first time any form of presidential immunity from prosecution.
These ultraprocessed foods may shorten your life, study says
Eating higher levels of ultraprocessed food may shorten lifespans by more than 10 per cent, according to a new, unpublished study of over 500,000 people whom researchers followed for nearly three decades.
WATCH: Ode to Newfoundland rings out at emotional internment of Unknown Soldier
As part of the emotional ceremony honouring Newfoundland and Labrador's Unknown Soldier, the province's national anthem, The Ode to Newfoundland, was sung. Military members received special permission from defence officials to salute the Ode.
This 12-year-old memorized the periodic table at age two. He's heading to NYU after finishing high school in just two years
Recent high school graduate Suborno Isaac Bari, 12, plans to start studying math and physics at New York University in the fall, but he’s already got his ambitious sights set on beginning a doctoral program.
Judge calls Jeffrey Epstein 'most infamous pedophile in American history' as he releases transcripts
A Florida judge released Monday afternoon the transcripts of a 2006 grand jury investigation that looked into sex trafficking and rape allegations made against the late millionaire and financier Jeffrey Epstein.
Eddie Murphy is still stung by that David Spade joke on 'Saturday Night Live'
Eddie Murphy is reflecting on some of the “cheap shots” he feels he’s taken over the years.
Possible indecent gesture at Euro 2024 game under investigation
England star Jude Bellingham is being investigated by UEFA over a potentially offensive gesture made during a European Championship win against Slovakia.
On July 1, 1916, a generation of Newfoundlanders died in one brief battle
Millions are celebrating Canada’s 157th birthday this year -- as they do every year -- with fireworks, food and family. In Newfoundland, it is a day of mourning for one of the bloodiest battles of the First World War.