York regional police say three 17-year-old males turned themselves into authorities in connection to the discovery of “hate” graffiti found on the walls of a school in the City of Vaughan.
In late June, hate crime investigators were called out to Woodbridge College, near Highway 7 and Islington Avenue, after the discovery of anti-Semitic, anti-Black and Homophobic images and words were seen spray painted on exterior walls.
York Regional Police spokesperson Andy Pattenden told AM 640 that investigators were able to determine that three youths attended the school property on Wednesday, June 28, 2017.
“It was shortly after midnight that investigators believe the three youths in question did use spray paint on the walls of the school and portables making multiple offensive markings.”
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Pattenden said investigators used several leads to the identify the alleged perpetrators, who subsequently co-operated in turning themselves into authorities not long after.
The three teens, whose names are protected under the youth criminal justice act, will be appearing before the Ontario Court of Justice in Newmarket on Monday, July 24, 2017, and each face a mischief over $5000 charge.
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When asked why the youths did not face additional hate crimes charges, Pattenden said investigators did not feel what they saw fit the provisions of the criminal code’s definition.
“At this point in time, it’s up to the courts,” said Pattenden. “The information of what those images were, and the motivating hate factors involved all get presented to the court and that’s determined in sentencing whether that becomes a part of an increased sentence.”
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