Judge reserves sentencing on sex assault until August

By Alejandra Pulido-Guzman - Lethbridge Herald on July 6, 2023.

LETHBRIDGE HERALDapulido@lethbridgeherald.com

The case of a Lethbridge man already serving a prison sentence for drugging and sexually assaulting three women several years ago, and who was found guilty of sexually assaulting another woman in May, was in Lethbridge Court of Justice Wednesday.
 Sohil Bindra, 37, who was found guilty in May of sexually assaulting another woman by Judge Sylvia Oishi, had his matter brought back for sentencing Wednesday, where the Crown and defence presented their sentencing suggestions and case laws regarding their suggestions.
 The Crown suggested adding four years to Bindra’s sentence to be served consecutively to the one he is already serving, based on the aggravating factors, specifically noting that the assault happened during a domestic relationship, while the victim was asleep and vulnerable and violating the sanity of her home.
The defence argued that two years’ consecutive sentence would be appropriate to give opportunity for rehabilitation, and to not extinguish any possibility Bindra would have after his release to get back on his feet.
 After hearing both suggestions Judge Oishi reserved her decision for sentencing.
 “I’m going to reserve my decision so that I have an opportunity to read the case law that’s been provided to me and give it proper consideration,” said Oishi.
 Oishi will present her decision on Aug. 8 at 1:30 p.m.
 For this particular matter, the complainant, who can’t be identified because of a publication ban, testified in April this year that Bindra tried to grope her while the two were in her home in July 2017. She said she told Bindra she had a bacterial infection and didn’t want to have sex, but after the two went to bed, he began trying to touch her again.
The woman, who at the time was involved in a relationship with the accused, wrapped herself tightly in her blankets and fell asleep, but when she woke up later, Bindra was on top of her having sexual intercourse. She testified that when she confronted Bindra about the assault, he said he couldn’t be charged with rape because they were in a relationship.
 Bindra admitted he slept at the woman’s house but testified he didn’t have sex with her because she told him she had a sexually transmitted disease.
 Bindra was convicted late last year on several sex-related charges and sentenced in February to 12 years in a federal penitentiary, minus the equivalent of just over four years for time he spent in remand custody.
 During a trial in November and December of 2021, one of the women testified Bindra assaulted her in his vehicle in the spring of 2018. He was found guilty of sexual assault and administer- ing a noxious substance, in relation to the assault against the woman.
 Another woman testified Bindra sexually assaulted her after he gave her and a friend a ride home from a bar in February of 2020. He was found guilty of housebreaking and commit sexual assault, and administering a noxious substance, in relation to that woman.
 A third woman told court during the trial that she was too drunk to drive home to Taber following a work Christmas party in December of 2018 and was sexually assaulted after Bindra allowed her to stay the night at his westside home. He was found guilty of administering a noxious substance and sexual assault.
 Bindra denied the assault allegations and testified during his trial that the liaisons with the women were consensual.
 Bindra is also set to stand trial later this month on charges of sexual assault, choking with intent, assault and administering a drug, in relation to another woman. He also faces one additional and more recent charge of sexual assault, which relates to an offence in August 2017 against a sixth woman. 
-with files from Delon Shurtz

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