Two more vandals convicted in G20 riots

Two more Toronto G20 vandals pleaded guilty Friday to participating in the massive 2010 riots, and were sentenced to six months in prison.

In Superior court in Montreal, Guillaume constantineau and youri couture pleaded guilty to assaulting a peace officer, wearing a disguise with intent to commit an indictable offence and common nuisance.

The two men were among a contingent of violent summit protesters who adopted the “black bloc” tactic, wearing black clothing and bandanas to shield their faces while smashing property in the downtown core.

“The rioting and the damage that ensued immobilized the downtown core, terrifying both residents and visitors,” noted an agreed statement of facts entered in court Friday. “Peaceful protest voices were drowned out as a result of the unprecedented violence that weekend.”

Photo and video evidence pinpointed constantineau and couture as participants in a march toward Queen Street West and John Street, where a confrontation with police ensued.

couture was captured on camera throwing a long wooden pole into a line of police officers; it struck a female officer in the shoulder. constantineau, meanwhile, hit an officer on the head with a flagpole, according to the agreed statement of facts.

both men also admitted to damaging businesses. constantineau smashed the front door of a Winners store on yonge Street, while couture threw a rock through a Starbucks window on yonge.

In a victim-impact statement, Khrista Madisen, who was working at the Starbucks location that day, recalled chaos and terror among patrons as the vandals attacked.

“I will never forget that first smashing sound,” Ms. Madisen said in her statement, filed in court Friday. “It was so loud and it echoed throughout the whole space.… everyone around me had panic and fear on their faces, many were screaming, some were crying.”

The incident left her with lasting symptoms of anxiety and claustrophobia among crowds, Ms. Madisen said.

As part of the plea deal, couture and constantineau will serve their time in Quebec.

Over the course of the G20 weekend, more than 1,000 people were arrested. Most were held for breaching the peace and released without charges, while another 200 people had their charges dropped. In total, more than four dozen people have been convicted.