Yonge Street and Wellesley Street East,
Three Youth Arrested
Date: Friday, Nov 10, 2023
Unit: 51 Division
Case #: 2023-2589983
The Toronto Police Service is making the public aware of arrests made in a suspected hate-motivated assault against a member of the 2SLGBTQ+ community.
On Wednesday, November 8, 2023, at 12:55 p.m., police investigated an assault in the Yonge Street and Wellesley Street area.
It is alleged that:
- the victim was in the area of Yonge Street and Wellesley Street East
- the victim was concerned with the treatment of a group of young women and intervened to check on their well-being
- a verbal interaction ensued between the suspects and the victim at which time the victim was violently attacked by the three suspects
- as a result, the victim sustained serious injuries
Two *14-year-olds, and a *15-year-old have each been charged with:
- Assault Causing Bodily Harm
After consultation with the Service's specialized Hate Crime Unit, the investigation is being treated as a suspected hate-motivated offence.
The youths will attend court at the Ontario Court of Justice, 10 Armoury Street, on Wednesday, January 10, 2023, in room 604.
The Toronto Police Service takes all forms of hate-related crime seriously and prioritizes our response to ensure citizens of Toronto feel safe. 2SLGBTQ+ Liaison Officers Sgt. Robert Chevalier and P.C. Cheryl Taylor have been actively assisting investigators, and are urging anyone who may have any additional information related to this case to reach out to the Toronto Police Service.
Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-5100, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477), or at www.222tips.com.
When suspected hate-motivated offences are reported to police, the investigation will be led by a Divisional investigator. The Hate Crime Unit will be made aware and specialized officers from that unit will support the investigation as needed.
If it is alleged a criminal offence was committed (such as assault or mischief) and it is believed to have been motivated by bias, prejudice or hate, the officer-in-charge will consult with the Crown. 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. Members of the Hate Crime Unit will provide assistance and support to the divisional investigators in seeking the Attorney General’s consent to lay these charges, if applicable. These charges are often laid at a later time.
**Please refer to Section 110, Subsection 1, of the YCJA:
110. (1) Subject to this section, no person shall publish the name of a young person, or any other information related to a young person, if it would identify the young person as a young person dealt with under this Act.***
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Constable Laura Brabant for Detective Kiran Bisla
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