The first person convicted under Canada's terrorism law was sentenced Friday to 2½ years in prison. His identity is protected under court order. (Alex Tavshunsky)

The first person convicted under Canada's terrorism laws was sentenced Friday to 2½ years in prison for his involvement in the group dubbed the Toronto 18, which authorities accuse of plotting to blow up targets in the city's downtown.

The judge in Brampton, Ont., who sentenced the 21-year-old declared that, with credit for his time already spent in custody, the man had served his time. He walked free hours later and was back home Friday.

"He's very happy that it's over," his lawyer, Mitchell Chernovsky said. "He's relieved to be out of jail."

The man was found guilty in September 2008 of participating in a plot to blow up buildings in downtown Toronto in 2006.

He was not a ringleader, and his involvement included attending two terrorist training camps, shoplifting items from a Canadian Tire store and removing a surveillance camera.

In passing sentence, Justice John Sproat described the man's crime as "very serious" but also noted he had expressed genuine remorse.

In a letter to the court, the man promised to work hard to contribute to society and declared, "I do not believe in participating in violent acts against anyone."

"I, like almost everyone else, want to live a good, peaceful life," he wrote. I want to get married one day, have a family and have a good job like an engineer."

He said he will not associate with anyone that has "a view of life or religion that does not believe in being a productive and peaceful member of society."

He noted that it will be "very, very difficult" to get an education and find work because of his conviction for a terrorist offence.

"It's hard to imagine anyone that would want to study beside me or hire someone with that type of criminal record," he wrote.

But he said he hopes people will give him a chance and not prejudge him.

He was 17 at the time, so he was tried under youth justice laws. However, the judge found he had continued his activity with the terrorist group past his 18th birthday, so he was sentenced as an adult.

He was also given three years' probation, barred from owning weapons for 10 years and ordered to submit a DNA sample.

Identity remains protected

The media still cannot name him, because the judge granted a defence request Friday to keep the man's identity shielded for a month while his lawyers have the chance to appeal his conviction.

Earlier this month, Saad Khalid, 22, pleaded guilty to aiding in the 2006 bomb plot. He is expected to be sentenced in June.

The 18 men and youths were arrested in the Toronto area in summer 2006 and detained following an investigation by the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS), Canada's spy agency.

Seven of those accused have since had their charges stayed or dropped. The remaining individuals have yet to stand trial.

The suspects face charges including participating in a terrorist group, receiving training from a terrorist group, providing training, and intending to cause an explosion that could cause serious bodily harm or death.

The offences allegedly took place between March and June 2006 in Mississauga and a rural township near Orillia, Ont.

The Crown alleges the group planned to bomb the CN Tower, the Toronto Stock Exchange and the Toronto CSIS office.

With files from The Canadian Press