‘Lead aggressor’ in Locke vandalism gets 6 months in jail

Montreal man, described as educated and well-spoken, told vandals what to damage

A Montreal man described as the “lead aggressor” in a vandalism spree on Locke Street South last year has been sentenced to six months in jail.

Tyler Nadeau smiled and flashed a peace sign to supporters before a special constable led him out of the courtroom on Tuesday morning.

Last year, he pleaded guilty to two counts of mischief over $5,000 for his role in the March 3 rampage that saw dozens of masked protesters smash cars and throw rocks and eggs at shops.

“This was mischief with a message,” Crown prosecutor Jeff Levy said Tuesday about the Saturday evening anti-gentrification protest that “rattled” diners and neighbourhood residents.

Levy described Nadeau, 27, as the “lead aggressor” of the protest. “He caused significant damage. He was telling others what to do.”

No stones were thrown through restaurants where patrons were eating, Levy said, but the “Locke Street riot rattled the community’s sense of security.”

That weekend, Nadeau was in Hamilton to attend an anarchist book fair at Westdale Secondary School, where flyers about the protest were handed out.

Defence lawyer Chris Sewrattan called his client an educated man with no prior convictions. He has bachelor’s in nursing from McGill University and continues his studies in Quebec. Nadeau has held down two jobs, one at a Montreal supervised injection site and another at a film studio, Sewrattan added. He also said his client can count on his supportive parents, who live in Barrie, Ont., and were in the courtroom Tuesday.

Nadeau, dressed in dark slacks and a blue dress shirt, declined to say anything when Justice Joe Fiorucci asked him if he wished to address the court before sentencing.

Fiorucci, considered his presentence report, noting Nadeau’s “previously unvarnished record.” The judge also noted he was educated and well-spoken. However, Fiorucci suggested Nadeau must find other ways to pursue social justice causes. After serving time, Nadeau will be placed on 12 months of probation. He is barred from Locke Street South and from taking part in unlawful protests. Nadeau must also pay $1,500 in restitution to Bitten on Locke.

The Locke Street rampage generated considerable backlash among Hamilton politicians and patrons of the small businesses there. Six storefronts were damaged, with Donut Monster and Bitten on Locke bearing the brunt of it. Vehicles were also vandalized.

In November, Cedar Hopperton, described in court as the “ringleader” of the protest was given a one-year sentence, the stiffest of the bunch.

Also Tuesday, charges were stayed against two others implicated in the Locke Street South demonstration. Jack Duckworth and Andrew Cadotte had a “much lesser role” in the March 3 incident, Fiorucci said.

Both men, who have completed community service hours, agreed to sign a one-year peace bond that bars them from Locke Street South and unlawful protests.

Alexander Balch’s related case was adjourned to March 6.