Crimes NEWS

Teen woman forced to work as stripper

Published by onlines on October 17, 2009

Landmark charge laid against boyfriend under human trafficking laws

A Mississauga man with ties to Nova Scotia is the first person to be charged with human trafficking by York Regional Police after he allegedly forced his so-called girlfriend to strip.

Police announced the long list of charges against the 24-year-old man yesterday, a day after his landmark arrest.

The 19-year-old Alberta native who escaped to police with her sordid tale late last month arrived in the GTA in the summer before getting involved in exotic dancing, York Region Det.-Sgt. Henry Deruiter said yesterday.

Someone in the industry introduced the young woman to the accused in late August before she moved into his Mississauga condo, Deruiter said.

“There was a period of time there in September where she was (allegedly) intimidated and recruited and forced to work in the industry and turn her money over to him,” Deruiter said.

Investigators allege the young woman lived “under strict rules” and was only allowed to leave the condo for work at a Mississauga club.

On one occasion in September, when she tried to leave, she was choked and assaulted, Deruiter said.

“It was basically, ‘You’re working for me,’ and she just didn’t want to do it anymore and he basically (allegedly) said, ‘You’ve got to keep doing it.’”

Her next attempt to leave was successful, Deruiter said. About a week later, when she was talking to police on an unrelated matter, the story came out.

Similar cases have been found in Halton and Peel Regions, where young men with ties to North Preston’s Finest — a Nova Scotia-based gang notorious for its pimping culture — have been charged with trafficking girls and women through Mississauga clubs.

While the man in York’s case has unrelated charges before a Nova Scotia court, it’s unknown whether he has ties to the gang, Deruiter said.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 1-866-876-5423, ext. 7640.

( Source: By TAMARA CHERRY, SUN MEDIA )

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