Following a non-jury trial, the defendant, Mark Taylor, was found guilty of 18 Criminal Code offences, including human trafficking, financially benefitting from human trafficking, receiving material benefit from human trafficking, advertising, exercising influence, sexual assault, obtaining sexual services for consideration, and breaching recognizance.
The court considered the legal parameters, positions of the Crown and Defence, the Kienapple principle, the nature of the offences, the offender's background, victim impact statements, and sentencing principles, including the Lopez factors for human trafficking.
The Crown sought a 23-year sentence, while the Defence sought 9 years.
The court imposed a global custodial term of 15 years, deducting pre-sentence custody and a Duncan credit for harsh COVID-19 conditions.
Ancillary orders were issued, but restitution orders were dismissed due to lack of quantifiable pecuniary damages and evidence of the offender's ability to pay, directing complainants to civil avenues.