Teen Convicted of Attacking Jewish Student

A teenager in Winnipeg who attacked a Jewish student in a racially motivated assault will be sentenced next month, following his conviction on charges of assault with a weapon.

The 17-year-old high school student used a lighter and attempted to burn the hair of a 15-year-old female Jewish student at his high school in November 2011. The girl suffered no serious injuries in the attack.

A school official said the attack was accompanied by racial comments. Law enforcement officials in Manitoba considered pressing hate crime charges but eventually chose not to, according to the Winnipeg Free Press.

The attacker, whose anonymity is protected under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, pleaded guilty and will be sentenced June 27, the newspaper reported.