Ottawa : A former City of Ottawa lawyer who defaced the National Holocaust Monument with blood-red paint last summer will not serve additional time in jail, following a sentencing decision released Wednesday.
Justice Anne London-Weinstein handed 46-year-old Iain Aspenlieder a suspended sentence, ruling that the time he has already spent in custody and under strict bail conditions was sufficient punishment. Aspenlieder pleaded guilty in July to mischief after painting the words “FEED ME” on the monument in June 2025.
Crown prosecutors had sought a two-year sentence, while defence counsel argued for a suspended sentence that accounted for Aspenlieder’s time already served.
In an unusual step, Aspenlieder requested in December that he be taken back into custody while awaiting the court’s sentencing decision.
In releasing him Wednesday, Justice London-Weinstein said she did not believe Aspenlieder’s actions were motivated by hate, but emphasized that the incident caused significant harm.
She credited Aspenlieder with five months of time served and noted that his conduct stemmed from his political views and concerns about the plight of Palestinians, rather than antisemitic intent.
The judge added that, despite the seriousness of the offence and the damage caused, Aspenlieder’s actions were inconsistent with his overall character based on the evidence presented.
Aspenlieder stood quietly in court, looking straight ahead with his head slightly bowed, as the sentence was delivered.
