Locke Street vandalism accused gets bail
31-year-old Hopperton will have to reside with parents at their Toronto home awaiting trial
The sole person charged in an anti-gentrification vandalism spree on Locke Street South has been granted bail.
This was Cedar Hopperton’s second attempt at bail after an unsuccessful bid before a justice of the peace in April.
On Monday, Superior Court Justice Harrison Arrell ruled Hopperton could be freed from the Hamilton-Wentworth Detention Centre under parental supervision.
After the hearing, lawyer Craig Bottomley said his client was “very relieved” to be out.
“We look forward to moving on to the next stage of the case, where we can take a look at the allegations and challenge them.”
Hopperton is charged with conspiracy to commit an indictable offence in relation to the March 3 rampage on Locke Street. Bottomley called the charge “amorphous,” saying the prosecution only needs to prove two parties or more agreed to commit a crime. “And that’s all there is to it.”
Assistant Crown attorney Gordon Akilie, who successfully argued against bail in early April, declined to comment after Monday’s decision.
Both hearings were covered by a standard 517 publication ban, which restricts reporting on many details, but not the judge’s decision and terms of bail.
Hopperton must live with his mother, Janet, and father, Peter, in their Toronto home unless accompanied outside by one of them.
The 31-year-old environmental activist, formerly known as Peter, is also barred from Hamilton except for attending court.
Hopperton must also not organize or attend rallies or protests, and is not allowed to leave Ontario. Hopperton’s next court date is May 28.
Hopperton is the only person charged in the procession, which saw masked and black-clad protesters hurl rocks, damage cars and smash storefront windows while carrying a banner emblazoned with “We are the ungovernable.”
The vandalism drew condemnation from several politicians and encouraged some members of the public to show their support for businesses damaged in the protest.
Police have said the Hamilton resident is associated with The Tower — a gathering space on Cannon Street East for anarchists — and alleged the Locke vandalism was connected to an anarchist book fair held the same weekend at Westdale Secondary School.
Hopperton had been in jail since being arrested at a residence near Cannon and Hess streets in early April.
In 2012, Hopperton pleaded guilty to counselling mischief in connection with the 2010 G20 protests in Toronto, and was sentenced to nine months in prison.