Mississauga, Ont., mosque attacker sentenced to 8 years in prison

The man who assaulted worshippers at a mosque in Mississauga, Ont., last year with bear spray and an axe has been sentenced to eight years in prison.

The man who assaulted worshippers at a mosque in Mississauga, Ont., last year with bear spray and an axe has been sentenced to eight years in prison.

Justice Bruce Durno delivered the sentence during a hearing at the Ontario Superior Court of Justice in Brampton on Tuesday. The length of the sentence conforms with a joint recommendation submitted by the Crown and defence.

"This was a targeted attack on all the congregants of the Islamic Centre, the worshippers present at the time, and on some of the values held dear by Canadians," Sarah Shaikh, a federal prosecutor with the Public Prosecution Service of Canda said in a statement.

"The sentence reflects the seriousness of the offence and society's condemnation for such attacks."

Mohammad Moiz Omar "intended to perpetrate a mass casualty event" when he entered the Dar Al-Tawheed Islamic Centre during early morning prayer on March 19, 2022 and sprayed bear spray toward congregants while swinging a hatchet, according to an agreed statement of facts.

According to the statement, he was motivated by an intense hatred for and desire to intimidate Muslims, prompted by his belief that Islam is "an intolerant and violent religion."

On July 19, Omar pleaded guilty to three charges, including administering a noxious substance with intent to endanger life or cause bodily harm; assault with a weapon; and mischief to religious property with motivation of bias, prejudice or hate based on religion.

Durno gave Omar an eight-year sentence for the assault with a weapon charge, and five-year concurrent sentences for the other charges.

He said the offences were aggravated by the fact that they were motivated by hate, because they were planned and deliberated, and because they were conducted at a place of worship, among other reasons.

On the other hand, the sentence was mitigated by the fact that Omar pleaded guilty, is a first-time offender, apologized to the court and has "taken some steps to address the issues he faces."

After credit for time already served, Omar will serve five years, three months and 15 days in prison. He will become eligible for parole after half the sentence is served.