Toronto man accused of uttering antisemitic threats
· Toronto Sun
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A 50-year-old man has been charged after allegedly hurling antisemitic threats at patrons of a community centre in North York earlier this month.
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It’s the latest alleged hate-motivated incident Toronto Police have investigated targeting the city’s Jewish population.
Police allege the accused sent communications on Monday containing antisemitic content to a community centre in the area of Bathurst St. and Sheppard Ave. W.
Accused subsequently attended community centre
According to police, the accused subsequently attended that community centre and uttered antisemitic threats directed toward the alleged victims.
Thomas Andrew Hardcastle, of Toronto, was arrested Friday and charged with criminal harassment and uttering threats.
Police said when suspected hate-motivated offences are reported to authorities, the investigation is led by the Hate Crime Unit.
If it is alleged a criminal offence was committed and believed to have been motivated by bias, prejudice or hate, police may consult with Crown prosecutors. If a person is charged and convicted of the offence, the judge will take into consideration hate as an aggravating factor when imposing a sentence.
“Wilful promotion of hatred and advocating genocide are hate propaganda (hate speech) offences which require the Attorney General’s consent to lay charges,” police said in a statement. “These charges are often laid at a later time.”
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The charges come after numerous other incidents have occurred in the city targeting Jewish members of the public, including the arrest of six individuals protesting the Walk with Israel event last weekend.
On June 1, police said five additional individuals were charged after an earlier arrest was made for wilful promotion of hatred and public incitement of hatred at an anti-Israel demonstration in March.
Anyone with information about the latest case is asked to contact police at 416-808-3505 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477).