The man accused of killing two New Westminster women in August 2013 plead guilty Thursday in provincial court.
Thirty-four-year-old Sarbjit Bains was charged with two counts of second-degree murder for the deaths of Jill Lyons and Karen Nabors. The pair, who lived in the same 12th Street apartment building, died weeks apart of one another in August 2013. The investigation, which brought together New Westminster police and the Integrated Homicide Investigations Team, wrapped up about five months later in January 2014 when police announced they had arrested and charged Bains with both Nabors and Lyons' murders and another unrelated murder in Surrey.
Bains was charged with two counts of first-degree murder for Lyons and Nabors' deaths, and was remanded to custody. In September 2014, a trial date was chosen for June of this year with two additional days in July if needed.
Thursday, Bains plead guilty to the lesser charge of second-degree murder. While both first- and second-degree murder charges often bring life-sentences, those guilty of second-degree murder can be eligible for parole after serving 10 years, according to the federal Department of Justice.
"The hard work done by the (homicide team) and (New Westminster) investigators resulted in the timely apprehension of Mr. Bains," Chief Const. Dave Jones said in a release. "The guilty pleas entered this afternoon by Mr. Bains have validated that hard work and is another example of the value and effectiveness of integrated policing in investigating complex crimes such as homicides."
No sentencing date has been scheduled yet.
Bains also plead guilty to one count of manslaughter in the February 2013 killing of Surrey resident Amritpal Saran.
