A swastika was spray-painted on a sign at the House of Jacob synagogue, at 16th Street and 92nd Avenue S.W. in Calgary, in November 2009. A swastika was spray-painted on a sign at the House of Jacob synagogue, at 16th Street and 92nd Avenue S.W. in Calgary, in November 2009. (Terri Trembath/CBC)A teen who admitted spraying anti-Jewish slogans in southwest Calgary is the first person in the city to be convicted of a hate crime, according to police.

Anti-Semitic graffiti and swastikas were spray-painted on a Holocaust memorial and a synagogue in Pump Hill and Woodbine in November 2009 — crimes captured by video surveillance cameras.

A 17-year-old, who cannot be named, was caught in Winnipeg in March on a Canada-wide warrant and taken back to Calgary.

He was charged with inciting public hatred and with mischief to a place of religious worship, motivated by hate — the first time that charge has been laid in Calgary, police said. The teen also faced one count of mischief to property.

Now 18, he pleaded guilty to the charges in youth court.

Jewish community leaders welcomed news of the conviction, saying it sends a strong message that spreading hate will not be tolerated.

Sentencing was set for Oct. 15.