Five people charged in connection with a vandalism spree on Locke Street South earlier this year have admitted their roles in the masked mob that set off fireworks, threw eggs and hit businesses and vehicles with rocks.

"Ringleader" Cedar Hopperton was handed a year-long sentence in a Hamilton courtroom Thursday after pleading guilty to mischief over $5,000 and counselling to commit mischief.

Court heard the 31-year-old, formerly known as Peter, handed out flyers for the demonstration at an anarchist book fair and potluck dinner the weekend of the March 3 riot.

Hopperton then marched in the demonstration that began shortly after 9:30 p.m. that night, instructing participants to "mask up" and then pushing a shopping cart with a stereo. The group carried a sign that read "We are the ungovernable."

The properties damaged were six businesses, including most notably Donut Monster and Bitten on Locke.

Rocks hit windows, 10 vehicles and one police cruiser. In all, there was more than $63,000-worth of damage.

After four months credit for time served in pretrial custody, Hopperton has eight more months remaining in the sentence, plus 12 months probation that includes conditions to keep the peace, stay away from Locke between Main Street East and Aberdeen Avenue - conditions imposed on three others also sentenced Thursday after joint submissions from the Crown and defence lawyers.

Hopperton declined to address the court directly but while being led to custody turned to supporters in courtroom, saying "Bye friends, see you all soon."

The group responded with shouts of "Goodbye Cedar" and "Love you."

Ontario Court Justice Joe Fiorucci said that just because people were not physically injured during the mischief, it didn't mean the community was not deeply impacted.

He read through victim impact statements from community members who spoke of their shock and fear.

While Cedar Hopperton was the organizer of the riot, court heard Tyler Nadeau, from Montreal, was the instigator of violence - the first to throw rocks at cars and businesses and directed others to follow.

He also pleaded guilty to two counts of mischief over $5,000 Thursday. A pre-sentence report has been requested and he will return to court for sentencing Feb. 5.

Matthew Lowell-Pelletier, David Prychitka and Tammy Kovich each pleaded to one count of mischief over $5,000.

Lowell-Pelletier and Prychitka were handed a conditional discharge that includes 18 months probation and 100 hours of community service.

Kovich, who helped hand out flyers, was given a conditional sentence of nine months that includes three months of house arrest, three with a curfew and three with conditions, followed by 12 months probation.

Court heard all three were contributing members of society, including Kovich being in her fifth year of a PhD program. All worked in social justice movements.

Defence attorneys argued that no one was hurt.

Hopperton's lawyer, Craig Bottomley, called the mischief a form of "political expression" that crossed the line into criminality.

He described his client as an intelligent, contributing member of society who worked as a French tutor.

There is "no doubt" the convicted parties were drawn together by a "benevolent spirit of social justice," Fiorucci noted during sentencing.

However, assistant Crown attorney Gord Akilie said the crimes were not a "routine mischief" but "mischief with a message" intended to cause fear among the community.

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"A carefully planned, methodical attack on our system of government and what it stands for, mainly the rule of law," he said.

A flyer circulated warned "This will be a militant and confrontational march, consider dressing appropriately." It called on protesters to march against gentrification.

The group that gathered at Durand Park and marched down Locke were masked and included 15 to 40 people.

Court heard Hopperton faced heightened difficulty while in custody. This included being in segregation because of Hopperton's gender identity, being in the midst of transition.

The one point of disagreement between all defence attorneys and the Crown was a request that an order to submit DNA be part of sentencing. The defence lawyers argued it was an invasion of privacy.

Justice Fiorucci ultimately ordered only Hopperton to submit DNA. Hopperton was a repeat offender having already faced a similar conviction for riots during the G20 summit in Toronto.

Hopperton was ordered to pay $1,500 in restitution. The three others were each ordered to pay $1,000.

Three others facing charges also return to court Feb. 5 when Nadeau is expected to be sentenced.

noreilly@thespec.com

905-526-3199 | @NicoleatTheSpec

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