Shane Jason Mahar is shown at Halifax provincial court in June 2023 after he was arrested in a human trafficking investigation. Mahar, 51, of Trenton, pleaded guilty Wednesday in Nova Scotia Supreme Court to obtaining sexual services for consideration from two 17-year-old girls. Photo by Steve BruceArticle contentA Pictou County man has pleaded guilty in Nova Scotia Supreme Court in Halifax to paying to have sex with two 17-year-old girls.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle contentShane Jason Mahar, 51, of Trenton was among six men arrested in 2023 in an investigation into the trafficking and sexual exploitation of young females in the Halifax area.Article contentArticle contentHe was scheduled to go on trial this week on five charges: two counts each of trafficking a person under the age of 18 and obtaining sexual services for consideration from someone under 18 and one count of possession of child pornography.Article contentArticle contentMahar was taken into custody Wednesday afternoon after showing up at the Halifax Law Courts more than four hours late for his proceedings.Article contentHe appeared in front of Justice Christa Brothers a short time later and pleaded guilty to the two charges of obtaining sexual services for consideration.Article contentBrothers ordered a presentence report on Mahar at the request of defence lawyer Matt Kennedy.Article contentA date for Mahar’s sentencing hearing will be set Friday, when he returns to court for his anticipated release on a new bail order.Article contentCrown attorney Josie McKinney said counsel will not have a joint sentencing recommendation for the judge. Each of the offences carries a minimum penalty of six months in jail and a maximum of 10 years in prison.Article contentThe identities of the victims are protected by a publication ban.Article contentAccording to an agreed statement of facts filed Wednesday, investigators arrested a man named Adam Ray Greenlaw at his apartment on Olivet Street in Halifax on April 28, 2023, and seized a number of items, including several cellphones.Article contentArticle contentA search of those phones located text messages between Greenlaw and Mahar. On March 12, 2023, they arranged for Mahar to rent a room at the DoubleTree Hotel in Dartmouth, and Greenlaw sent him photos of girls he could provide.Article contentHotel records show Mahar rented a room from March 13 to March 15, 2023. During that time, Greenlaw took a 17-year-old girl to the hotel to meet Mahar for sex.Article contentGreenlaw advised the girl that he would be leaving her and Mahar alone so she could give him oral sex in return for Mahar renting the room. The girl then performed oral sex on Mahar and they had intercourse.Article contentMahar engaged in sexual activity with the other girl on Feb. 25, 2023, in a room he had rented at the Hotel Halifax.Article contentGreenlaw transported the 17-year-old to the hotel and introduced her to Mahar. She gave Mahar oral sex in exchange for $100 in cash.Article contentAfter the girl contacted her mother to come get her, Greenlaw demanded she return the $100 she had received from Mahar. When the mother attended the hotel to retrieve her daughter, Greenlaw and Mahar were both present in the room.
Pictou County man pleads guilty in Halifax courtroom to paying 17-year-old girls for sexual services
