The court sentenced the accused after trial for assault arising from a public confrontation in which the victim was putting up posters of Israeli child hostages.
The sentencing judge found the offence was motivated by bias, prejudice or hate against the victim as a member of the Jewish community and as a person publicly expressing support for Jewish hostages, making denunciation and general deterrence primary sentencing objectives.
While the accused was a first offender and judicial restraint remained relevant, the court held that a discharge or suspended sentence would be contrary to the public interest and disproportionate to the gravity of the offence and its significant victim and community impact.
A 150-day conditional sentence with GPS monitoring, house arrest and curfew terms, followed by 12 months' probation, was imposed together with a five-year weapons prohibition and a DNA order.
