A technician at a metal-based factory was sentenced to seven years in jail by the High Court here Monday for allowing his bank account to be used in the transfer of funds to terrorists.

BukhoriChe Noor, 35, a father of two children aged four and eight years admitted committing theoffenceat Maybank, IBC branch in Prai Industrial Estate, Seberang Prai Tengah, Penang between Nov 2015 and June 30, 2016.

Justice Datuk Azman Abdullah admonished Bukhori, saying, as an adult, he should have been able to assess whether an action is bad or good before getting involved in it.

"We are capable of thinking and making considerations. The drastic rise in cases like this shows how serious it is," he said.

The judge noted that 40 cases involving terrorism-related charges were registered by the High Court last year and another 28, asatFeb this year.

According to the facts of the case, a protected witness confirmed that Bukhori was a member of the Telegram application group, 'Gagak Hitam', using 'Black Arrow' as his identity.

The telecommunications company also confirmed that the telephone number was registered under Bukhori's name.

The protected witness also confirmed that on March 26, 2016, 'Akhi Wanndy' (MuhammadWanndyMuhammad Jedi) instructed members of 'Gagak Hitam' to deposit 'infak' (donation) of RM11,090 in stages into Bukhori's Maybank account.

Earlier in mitigation, Bukhori who was unrepresented said he had repented and was remorseful of his action besides being the breadwinner for his family.

However, deputy public prosecutor Muhammad Fadzlan Mohd Noor urged the court to impose an appropriate sentence "as a lesson to the accused in view of the increase in such cases". --Bernama