G. Wright

The accused was sentenced after being convicted of conveying a terrorist hoax, fabricating evidence, public mischief, and obstructing a peace officer.

The offences arose from a fabricated online discovery purporting to reveal jihadist plans targeting the Pickering Nuclear Generating Station, which triggered an extensive multi‑agency national security investigation.

Forensic computer evidence established that the accused had created and embedded nuclear plant plans within an image of the Quran and falsely reported the discovery.

The court emphasized denunciation and deterrence due to the seriousness of terrorist hoaxes and the significant investigative resources expended.

A global custodial sentence of 12 months’ imprisonment was imposed for the principal counts, with a concurrent 4‑month sentence for obstruction, followed by two years’ probation and a five‑year weapons prohibition.

The accused was charged with fabricating a terrorist hoax involving the Pickering Nuclear Generating Station, fabricating evidence, public mischief, and obstructing a peace officer.

The Crown alleged that the accused created a false computer file embedding nuclear plant emergency plans within an image of the Quran and falsely claimed it was discovered on a jihadist website.

Forensic computer evidence demonstrated that the materials had been fabricated and placed on the accused’s computer rather than downloaded from the internet.

The court rejected the accused’s explanation, finding the evidence proved the hoax was intentionally created to mislead authorities and trigger a terrorism investigation.

The accused was found guilty on all four counts.