Warning: This article contains disturbing details that may be triggering to readers.
An Innisfil transport truck driver accused of smuggling $2.3 million of cocaine across the Sarnia border last year is on trial in a Bradford courtroom accused of beating a woman.
Pawandeep Dhillon, 35, was arrested months earlier, in October 2024, following a call to 911, and charged by South Simcoe police with assaulting the woman at a home.
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What the complainant told police that day was recorded on police body-worn cameras. Dhillon was also recorded by investigators as he provided a statement to officers, explaining what happened prior to police arriving at the home.
The recorded statements from the woman were played in court. She said Dhillon slapped and punched her about 15 times while he pulled her hair and yelled at her.
Despite being shown the video in court, the woman recanted her statements. She testified she was mistaken and claimed Dhillon did not assault her. The complainant, who was declared a hostile witness, was defiant on the witness stand when asked to explain what she told police that day and why her story has since changed. The woman accused the police and Crown prosecutor of being racist and manipulating her words.
The court heard the witness tell police that Dhillon had previously broken her nose and paid off paid gang members not to shoot her and a member of her family.
In the video, the woman told police Dhillon was often high on drugs, including cocaine and that she feared for her safety, as his behaviour became increasingly volatile and violent in the months leading up to the alleged assault.
A few months later, Dhillon was arrested by the RCMP and Canada Border Services agents driving his truck at the Blue Water bridge crossing in Sarnia. Border agents and police claimed Dhillon’s transport truck was found to have 86 kilograms of cocaine inside four duffle bags.
The RCMP charged Dhillon with importing a controlled substance and possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking. His drug charges will be addressed this fall.
After exiting the Bradford courthouse last week, Dhillon covered his face with his suit jacket before running into a waiting pickup truck. He returned to court moments later with a face covering.
Dhillon is represented by defence lawyer Harval Bassi. Dhillon’s assault trial resumes next month in Bradford. The allegations against him in Sarnia have not been tested in court.
