The infamous hate preacher Anjem Choudary has been sentenced to five years and six months for inviting ISIS support.

A former lawyer, Choudary has been known for his flag-burning demonstrations on the anniversary of 9/11, his justification for acts of terrorism, and has openly voiced support for jihad.

Choudary’s views have caused much controversy over the last two decades. Backing extremism, preaching support for Jihad, along with many other offenses have secured his spot as Britain’s “most hated man.”

British authorities successfully linked Choudary to the violence in Iraq and Syria. In addition, Choudary was seen as a “key” figure in ISIS’s recruitment. Previously, British authorities failed to capture enough evidence to convict Choudary. The main breakthrough came when Choudary posted an online video of his pledge of allegiance to the Islamic State.

“Their recent speeches and the oath of allegiance, were a turning point for the police.” Commander Dean Haydon, of the Metropolitan Police’s counter Terrorism Command, stated after Choudary’s conviction. “These men have stayed just within the law for many years,”

Haydon later addressed the confidence of his team, “But there is no one within the counter terrorism world that has any doubts of the influence that they have had, the hate they have spread and the people that they have encouraged to join terrorist organizations.”

In his defense, Choudary claims he is not a danger to the public by saying, “I don’t pose a threat to anyone in this country,” Instead, Choudary believes that the Islamic state is paradise in which he states, “There is peace. There’s no corruption, there’s no bribery…all of the vices which you’re used to in America and other parts of the world don’t exist there.”

Choudary has a firm belief that Abu Bakr Al Baghdadi has “brought in the dawn of a new era.” as he continued to express the greatness of the Islamic State.

Although Choudary has been jailed, ISIS will celebrate this as a victory because the United Kingdom has sent out a signal that the country is unable to defend itself from the growing threat. Some believe a five year sentence is far too lenient for the danger Choudary has posed.