Four teenagers are facing charges in connection with an assault in Peterborough’s East City on Thursday, July 25 that police had classified as a hate crime.
Shortly after midnight on July 25, a man was walking home in the Hunter Street East and Mark Street area just after midnight when he passed a group of four young men, one of whom spat at him.
According to the original media release about the incident issued by Peterborough police, when the man confronted the group, one of the young men man knocked his turban off his head and stomped on it. When a passer-by tried to intervene, both he and the initial victim were struck in the head with pop cans.
According to a police media release issued on Tuesday (August 6), a scuffle resulted after the man confronted the group during which the victim was punched, kicked, and had items thrown at him, with the victim’s turban “dislodged” during the scuffle.
As a result of an investigation, police arrested four male teenagers — a 14 year old from Ennismore, a 15 year old from Omemee, and a 14 year old and 15 year old from Peterborough — and charged each with assault with a weapon and assault. All four accused teens were released on an undertaking and are scheduled to appear in court on September 9.
Although police originally classified the assault as a hate crime, after consulting with the local crown attorney’s office they only laid assault charges against the teens. There are several hate-motivated crimes under the criminal code that require the Attorney General’s consent before charges are laid: advocating genocide, public incitement of hatred, wilful promotion of hatred, and wilful promotion of antisemitism.
In the original release, police stated they also believed the group of young people was connected to the theft of soft drinks reported at a nearby convenience store, but no charges were laid against the four teens in connection to that incident.
