Youth Canada's first convicted terrorist

Landmark decision under new law finds teenager was immature but culpable in plot

Canada's first convicted terrorist was a naive 17-year-old Muslim convert who was easily manipulated as well as lacking education and street smarts. But in a landmark decision yesterday a judge ruled there was overwhelming evidence he belonged to a homegrown terrorist group.

The young man, accused of attending two terrorist training camps and stealing items for the so-called Toronto 18, displayed no emotion when the verdict was read in a Brampton court.

"(The youth) clearly understood that the camps were training for a terrorist purpose," said Justice John Sproat as he read from his 94-page decision. "He also understood that contributing materials to be used at the camp enhanced the ability of the group to conduct the training."....