A 56-year-old London man is facing a charge following an investigation into a hate-motivated incident in the city’s downtown. London police say Gordon Botaitis was charged with one count of offence motivated by hatred after a symbol resembling a swastika was created in a gravel parking lot in the 0-100 block of St. George Street. Police were made aware of the incident on Oct. 22. They say a man completing construction work at the property used equipment believed to be a pressure washer to create the symbol. Nearby residents captured video and photographs of the incident and provided them to police. The property owner was notified and removed the symbol. On Oct. 23, police identified and arrested the suspect. The investigation was reassigned to the London Police Service Hate Crime Unit, which determined the incident was motivated by hatred. Botaitis was released from custody and is expected to appear in London court on Jan. 18, 2027.
