At approximately 6:30 am, April 27, 2016, a woman was travelling on an eastbound SkyTrain approaching the Gateway Station in Surrey. As she was browsing on her phone, another woman hit her on the side of the head and began shouting and swearing at her. The woman hit her again on the head and face and grabbed her hair with both hands, pushing her head into the wall. The victim tried to protect herself and pushed the emergency call button. A male passenger moved in between the suspect and the victim until the train arrived at Gateway Stationand all parties got off. The victim managed to snap a photograph of the suspect.
Transit Police officers arrived moments later and broadcast a description of the suspect and information provided by a witness that the suspect had boarded a westbound train. Officers checked the train on its arrival at Metrotown Station, located the suspect and took her into custody.
Arrested and charged with Assault was Dorcas Gail Shorson, 35 years, no fixed address, previously known to police. Shorson was remanded in custody until May 4, 2016, at which time she pled guilty. She was sentenced to 49 days in custody and one year’s probation.
Chief Doug LePard of Metro Vancouver Transit Police stated, “I am very pleased to see the court has recognized the seriousness of this offence. Our passengers have the right to use our transit system without fear of assault or harassment. This sentence sends a strong message to those who would prey on others. Our officers are deployed to allow for rapid response to such incidents and the safety of our passengers is our number one priority.”
TransLink commend the passenger who stepped in to assist the victim and all those who provided witness statements.
