Guilty plea in firebombing of Millwoods house

An Edmonton man pleaded guilty Wednesday to throwing a Molotov cocktail at a house in Millwoods in 2008.

Amir Qureshi, 21, was sentenced to 18 months of house arrest, followed by 18 months of probation.

The court was told that in July 2008, a witness saw a group of masked young men, holding what looked like spray cans, get out of a vehicle. She then saw the men throw the cans at the back of the house. Three cans caught fire.

The fire caused $35,000 in damage to the house at 23rd Street and 35A Avenue. No one was hurt.

Qureshi was arrested after a member of the group implicated him andcharged with numerousoffencesincluding unlawfully making or possessing explosives, possession of an explosive with intent and arson with disregard for human life.

However the Crown told the court thatquestions about the credibility of the witness might have put the prospect of a conviction into question.

The Crown and defence agreedif Qureshi pleaded guilty to one count of throwing the Molotov cocktail, theremaining charges would be withdrawn. Qureshi also pleaded guilty to three counts of breachingprobation.

After leaving the courthouse, Qureshi told CBC News he had wanted the matter to go to trial, but decided to take the option that was offered to him.

"I'd rather be happy going to trial and beating it. But this is what it is," he said.

Public best served by guilty plea, Crown says

Both the Crown and defence admitted the sentence was lenient given the seriousness of the crime. But Crown prosecutor Ashley Finlayson told the judge the plea bargain was the best way to serve and protect the public.

While speaking to reporters outside the courthouse, Finlayson said much thought goes into these types of decisions.

"That's not to say had the matter proceeded to trial, that Mr. Qureshi would have necessarily been acquitted,"he said.

"But there were risks involved and the Crown, on a balancing prospect, on looking at what could happen if he were to be acquitted, what could happen if this sentence was imposed today, the Crown felt the protection of the public was best served by this disposition."

Last year, police attributed a series of firebombingsin Millwoods to a dispute between two groups of teens. Since Qureshi's arrest, there have been no more incidents in the long-standing feud, Finlayson said.

A number of people including youths were charged in the attacks. Many are still making their way through the court system.