A man charged in the firebombings of a jewish community centre and an orthodox boys' school in Montreal was sentenced Thursday to seven years in prison, a sentence the Crown said was appropriate but one which failed to satisfy Jewish leaders.

Omar Bulphred, who is already behind bars, was sentenced at the Montreal courthouse immediately after pleading guilty to attacking an Orthodox boys' school in Outremont and the Ben Weider Commuinity Centre in Snowdon.  The judge agreed to the joint sentencing recommendation by the Crown and the defence.

With time already served, Bulphred will spend another three years and four months in prison for charges including attempted arson, use of explosives and uttering death threats.

The Skver-Toldos Orthodox Jewish Boys school was attacked in September 2006 and the community centre was targeted in April 2007.  The attacks caused widespread panic in the community.  The assault on the school occurred just minutes after a function had ended.

'Acts of terrorism'

Bulphred and another man, Azim Ibragimov, were arrested in April 2007 and have remained in detention ever since.

Ibragimov was sentenced in November to four years in prison for the attacks, which a judge and Jewish community leaders called acts of terrorism.

Hateful letters

Police seized letters that claimed the crimes were committed in the name of Islamic Jihad, a militant group that has vowed to destroy Israel and set up an Islamic Palestinian state.  The letters hinted that further acts were forthcoming.

Ibragimov admitted to writing the letters but said he was a naive accomplice and that Bulphred dictated the content to him.

A judge rejected Ibragimov's arguments, saying both men were responsible for the attacks.

Not satisfied

Members of the Canadian Jewish Congress who were present at the Montreal courthouse were not satisfied with the sentence against Bulphred.  The judge could have sentenced him to 14 years for the crimes.