Nova Scotia's 1st convicted human trafficker gets 7-year prison sentence

The first person convicted of human trafficking in Nova Scotia under federallegislation introduced more than a decade ago has been sentenced by a judge to seven years in prison.

Owen Ross Gibson-Skeir, 21, of East Preston, was sentenced Friday in Halifax provincial court.

He pleaded guilty in December to trafficking in a person under the age of 18, receiving material benefit from trafficking, and sexual assault.The victim was 14 years old when Gibson-Skeirpimped her out at Halifax-area hotelsbetween January and March 2016.

He posted ads online, and made his victim call him "Daddy."

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Following the December court hearing, Gibson-Skeir threatened his victim with a gun gesture as he was led out of the courtroom. Two more charges were added to his file: uttering threats and intimidation of a justice participant. He is due back in court April 20, and could face additional penaltiesiffound guilty of those charges.

Skeir received an 18-month credit for time already spent in custody since his arrest, which means he has 5 years left to serve.

Gibson-Skeiris prohibited from owning firearms for life andmust supply a DNA sample to be kept on record.