BRAMPTON, Ont. - A sentence is expected to be handed down today for the first person convicted in a domestic terrorism plot bent on wreaking havoc on Canadian targets.
The youth belonging to the so-called Toronto 18 homegrown terror cell will be sentenced as an adult.
He was found guilty in September of helping and taking part in a terrorist organization -- the first verdict under Canada's new anti-terrorism laws.
At issue is how much time he will serve behind bars and how much credit will be given for time served in pretrial custody.
The Crown is seeking a three-year sentence in an adult facility, a probation period of three years, a DNA order and a firearms prohibition for a maximum of 10 years.
The defence has argued that the nearly two years the youth has spent in pretrial custody should mean he may not spent much more -- if any -- time in jail.
The judge who found the youth guilty said there was overwhelming evidence that a homegrown Islamic terrorist cell, which had its sights set on Canadian targets, did exist.
Ontario Superior Court Justice John Sproat rejected defence assertions the Toronto-area plot was nothing more than musings and fantasies.
In the summer of 2006, an intense investigation involving Canada's spy agency and the RCMP ended with the arrests of 18 people in the Toronto area and the seizure of apparent bomb-making materials.
Police alleged the suspects planned to buy weapons and set off truck bombs using three tonnes of ammonium nitrate.
The case took a stunning turn when allegations surfaced that the ringleaders had talked about plans to storm Parliament, take MPs hostage and behead the prime minister.
Three other youths, along with four adults, have since had their charges stayed or withdrawn.
The other accused have yet to stand trial.
