Fine issued in prostitution case

SYDNEY — A Sydney man was fined $500 Friday having previously been found guilty of communicating for the purpose of obtaining sexual services.

Hisham Fathy Sleem, 42, of Alexandra Street, was also ordered to supply a DNA sample to the national registry.

The unemployed father of two was among 27 men charged in 2015 as part of a Cape Breton Regional Police undercover operation focusing on prostitution in downtown Sydney.

Provincial court Judge Brian Williston issued a guilty verdict in the case after a trial in which he rejected Sleem’s explanation of why he was in an area frequented by prostitutes.

Sleem explained that prior to his arrest in August 2015, he was on Charlotte Street when stopped by a female asking for the time.

After the brief conversation with the woman, Sleem said he was unable to locate his cellphone and thought the female must have taken it.

He returned to the area in search of the girl and when approached by a female undercover officer he did admit he was looking for sex.

However, he said the comment was only meant to have the female get in his vehicle so he could ask her about the other girl and his cellphone.

Two other trials are scheduled for later in the month. The majority of the accused have completed the court process and were issued fines.

Three of the accused had their cases dismissed while three others were found not guilty.