Brantford pair face prostitution charges after alleged sex assault

Brantford Police Service headquarters on Elgin Street in Brantford, Ont., are seen on Nov. 23, 2012. (CTV Kitchener)

An arrangement in which two Brantford residents allegedly let a 16-year-old girl use their home to perform sexual acts has resulted in two of the three facing criminal charges.

According to Brantford Police, the case centres on a Darling Street apartment shared by 65-year-old Larry Campbell and 42-year-old Melanie Hatfield.

For the past few months, police say, the teenage girl would visit the apartment to have sex for money.

Under Canada’s new prostitution laws, which took effect in 2014, receiving money for sexual services is not illegal – but that’s not the case if the money is passed on to a related party.

“No one is allowed to benefit from someone else receiving compensation for sexual services,” said Const. Natalie Laing.

On July 1, Campbell allegedly sexually assaulted the 16-year-old, who reported it to police three days later.

As a result of the subsequent investigation, both Campbell and Hatfield were taken into custody.

“Both have now … been arrested for keeping a common bawdy house,” Laing said.

Both are also charged with “receiving a financial or material benefit from a person under 18 years of age.”

In addition, Campbell faces charges of sexual assault, communicating for the purpose of obtaining sexual services from a minor.

Police say they continue to investigate, and are glad the teenager came forward.

“It doesn’t matter what type of (situation) you’re in,” Laing said.

“If you’re a victim of violence, then you need to come forward regardless of the circumstances surrounding that incident.”