OTTAWA — An Ottawa judge has handed the so-called ring leader of a teenaged prostitution ring a 6 1/2-year sentence, after deciding to sentence her as an adult.
With credit for time served, the now 18-year-old has three years remaining on her sentence.
She was convicted earlier this year of more than two dozen charges, including human trafficking, forcible confinement and assault.
The girl was just 15 when arrested, but Justice Diane Lahaie says it is clear she ran a well-organized and sophisticated human trafficking enterprise.
Her lawyers were seeking a youth sentence but the Crown had asked that she be sentenced as an adult.
Lahaie says a youth sentence would not properly reflect the girl’s crimes or hold her accountable.
Court heard the girl used social media sites to befriend girls aged 13 to 17, then forced them into prostitution.
She has been in police custody since she was arrested in June 2012.
Two other teens accused in the case pleaded guilty to several charges in September.