Teen who wore anti-gay T-shirt receives conditional discharge

A Quebec teen who sparked a social media firestorm after photos were posted of him wearing an anti-gay T-shirt has been handed a conditional discharge.

Julien Clément pleaded guilty to mischief in “willingly interfering with enjoyment of property” on Monday.

Under the conditions, he is to undergo a year of probation, he must keep the peace and be of good behaviour and not possess weapons. Although he was found guilty, the court did not enter a formal conviction.

Clément, then 18, was charged with mischief and uttering death threats after police investigated complaints about a man wearing a T-shirt that read: “If you are gay, don’t approch (sic) me. I’ll kill you,” during Halloween festivities at Saunders Farm on Oct. 29, 2016.

The T-shirt and its message, posted on a Facebook page by an “appalled” bystander, went viral. Saunders Farm owners said they were “outraged, offended, and taking the appropriate steps to ensure a similar situation never occurs again on our property.”

Clément later gave an interview to a CTV reporter, in which he said, in French, “I hate gays for real,” while displaying the T-shirt. In another interview, Clément said he didn’t regret wearing the shirt and he “had a bad experience” and hated gay men.

In a joint submission on Monday, the Crown and Clément’s lawyer said he has had time to reflect and no longer subscribes to hate against gay men.

Crown attorney Moiz Karimjee told the court he had an opportunity to speak to Clément in the presence of his lawyer.

“He was genuinely a changed person,” Karimjee told the court. “He has taken responsibility for what he has done.”

Speaking through an interpreter, Clément told the court he had nothing to add.

Justice Norman Boxall noted that Clément was 18 at the time of the offence. “Mr. Clément was not just a youthful offender, but in a very real sense, he was the youngest possible offender to appear in adult court.”

Boxall said he was satisfied that Clément had developed insight and expressed remorse for his actions in the 18 months since he was at the centre of controversy.

“This is the case of a young man who made a mistake, understands

it, expresses remorse and has a very bright future.”

In other media interviews after the controversy hit the news, Clément claimed the incident was “a joke” and apologized for wearing the shirt.

On Nov. 10, 2016, he surrendered to Ottawa police. He admitted to being the subject of the controversy, but attempted to downplay the incident, claiming that it was “a joke that went too far.” He said the shirt was a one-off and he had since burned it, according to an agreed statement of facts.

Clement also spent two days in jail on charges of failing to attend court in this matter. The charges were withdrawn on Monday.

The conditional discharge will remain on the public record for three years. If Clément completes his year of probation and does not re-offend, the discharge will be removed. If he breaks probation or commits a criminal offence, the discharge will be brought to the court’s attention.