Local man charged with attempting to purchase sexual services at hotel

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MEDICINE HAT

[B]Local man charged with attempting to purchase sexual services at hotel[/B]

BY CHARLES LEFEBVRE ON NOVEMBER 3, 2016

[URL="http://medicinehatnews.com/news/local-news/2016/11/03/local-man-charged-with-attempting-to-purchase-sexual-services-at-hotel/"]http://medicinehatnews.com/news/loca...ices-at-hotel/[/URL]

A 48-year-old Medicine Hat man was arrested Tuesday after allegedly attempting to purchase sexual services at a local hotel.

Members of the Medicine Hat Police Service Priority Street Crime Unit responded to a website ad in regards to a female offering to provide sexual services at the hotel. The unit conducted surveillance on the hotel and subsequently arrested the man who went to the room.

â??We see a lot of sexual services offered over the Internet all the time, on websites,â? said Insp. Brent Secondiak, saying the police service will investigate websites such as Backpage for potential crimes.

In 2014, Bill C-36 was passed by the Canadian government which makes it a criminal offence to purchase sexual services from any person.

â??The intent of the bill was to target the users, the johns, people who use sexual services,â? said Secondiak, who notes the crime is not very frequent in Medicine Hat. â??Our intent is to get these girls safe and try to get them out of the lifestyle.â?

The woman involved was not charged, said Secondiak.

The man, who has not been named as charges have not officially been sworn in court, was arrested and charged with purchasing sexual services. The man is due in provincial court on Nov. 29.