The heartbreaking words of two young women describing how they were dehumanized, exploited and physically abused by a Toronto pimp were shared on Friday for a judge who must now decide her sentence.
Simon Ho-On, 24, took the unusual step of pleading guilty last January to six human trafficking offenses linked to two victims, including one he met when she was 21 and dating a university in Toronto. Friday was his sentencing hearing.
In an agreed statement of facts, Ho-On admitted to forcing them into prostitution, pocketing the money for himself, and controlling them by supplying them with illicit drugs, knowing they were struggling with drug addiction. He took their pictures and posted them on websites advertising sex services and convinced them to tattoo his nickname on their bodies. Several times when he got angry, he beat them.
“I was suicidal and hurt myself physically because I feel worthless and hate myself and my body,” wrote the former student, who dropped out of school when she began “working” for Ho-On, in a victim impact statement read Friday by Crown prosecutor Monica Gharabaway.
“I have spent years trying to undo the damage you have done to become the strong woman I am today,” the other victim, now 22, wrote. Their identities are covered by a publication ban.
Gharabaway, a member of Ontario’s human trafficking prosecution team, told Superior Court Judge Michael Quigley she was seeking a 10-year sentence, minus the time he has already served in custody. She is also seeking an order for restitution of $48,000, the money he earned by trafficking the college student over an 11-month period.
Defense lawyer Fiona McNestry suggested a five-to-six-year sentence was more appropriate, given that her client had no criminal record and had been in detention for three-and-a-half years in conditions extremely difficult during the pandemic.
In a pre-sentence report, Ho-On said that when he became involved in this criminal activity at age 20, “it was at a time in my life when nothing was happening. It was around me; was a norm in the city at the time, so I said why not give it a try?
McNestry explained that the reason it was “normal” was because of the company he kept at the time living in a group home. The letters of support suggested he was “impressionable”, not that it excused his conduct, she said.
Ho-On is willing to seek professional advice and has concrete goals, including furthering his education and opening a tattoo parlor once he is released, she said.
He watched the proceedings on Friday through large black-rimmed glasses in the video room of the Toronto East Detention Center.
Ho-On told the judge he wanted to apologize to the victims and their loved ones.
“I am sorry for my actions which caused them trauma and pain. It was the biggest mistake of my life,” he said, reading a piece of paper he took from a pocket in his orange jumpsuit. While wearing a protective mask, tattoos were visible on his forehead, above his nose and on his cheeks.
“Every night it haunts me of what I did to these women. I have a close relationship with my sister whom I love and care for, and I never want that to happen to her. I will seek help and rehab further down the road to get better.
The judge thanked Ho-On for his apology and remorse and said he would serve his sentence on August 30. However, even if he receives a sentence equivalent to time served, Ho-On will remain in custody pending trial in December on charges. related to another victim.
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