Ontario neo-Nazi Matthew Althorpe sentenced to 20 years in prison

Neo-Nazi Matthew Althorpe, who urged his recruits to start a race war, has been sentenced to 20 years in prison after pleading guilty to three terror-related charges.

Superior Court Justice Jane Kelly rejected his lawyer’s recommendation of a 12-to-14-year term as not enough for a white supremacist leader who inspired six international terror attacks through his publications and videos online.

“As the Court of Appeal held … when terrorists acting on Canadian soil are apprehended and brought to justice, the responsibility lies with the courts to send a clear and unmistakable message that terrorism is reprehensible, and those who engage in it here will pay a very heavy price,” the judge said.

“I intend to send such a message with the sentence I impose.”

Judge says he’s rehabilitation candidate

But Kelly turned down a request by the federal Crown to require Althorpe, 30, to serve half of his sentence before he can apply for parole. She said “there is some concern” that he still harbours white supremacist ideology, but found he’s remorseful, is a good candidate for rehabilitation, and the parole board will be in the best position to determine if he no longer poses a danger to society.