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In sentencing an apologetic 18-year-old man to a year in jail for vandalizing six religious buildings in Ottawa with racist graffiti, the judge acknowledged the man’s remorse but cautioned that continued progress was needed for the one-time self-identified son of Hitler.

“Words without actions are meaningless,” said Ontario Court Justice Peter Griffiths on Thursday.

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With credit for time served, the man, who was 17 when charged and cannot be named, will serve three more months – two in custody and one under community supervision – and two years of probation.

Victims of what Griffiths called the young man’s “week-long eruption of hate” that “spewed out in streams of red paint” on faith buildings across the city in November 2016 shared a wait-and-see sentiment.

The attacks were carried out under cover of darkness and saw the houses of worship of Jews, Muslims and Christians (led by a black reverend) all vandalized. The common denominator, Griffiths said, was the intent to “threaten, defame and dehumanize” communities in the name of white supremacy.