Read more at The Barrie Examiner…

Sex sweep nets 15 ‘johns’ in downtown Barrie

City police say a man was Christmas shopping when he decided instead to get his jollies: sexual services from a downtown hooker.

He was among the 15 males — one was just 16 years old — who have been arrested and charged with communication for the purpose of prostitution.

Twenty-three people have been arrested and charged after the Barrie police street crime unit used undercover officers during a four-day period to target suspected johns and prostitutes, as well as associated criminal activity.

Police said the suspected johns approached the prostitutes on bicycles, on foot and in vehicles.

The sting operation — which led to police laying 27 criminal charges and five drug charges — was conducted in the area of Toronto and Mulcaster streets.

Eight suspected hookers were arrested for communication for the purpose of prostitution. One of the women was found to be violating her parole and was sent back to jail.