A senior judge has challenged Islamist extremists who live on benefits while claiming to "despise" Western democracy, as he sentenced hate preacher Anjem Choudary to five-and-half years in prison.

Choudary has lived on benefits in the UK for the past 20 years, during which time it is understood he has claimed up to £500,000 from the state.

While living off the state - dubbing his benefits 'Jihadiseekers' Allowance' - Choudary became one of the country's most notorious radical preachers - professing hatred against the West.

But he managed to avoid a criminal conviction until he was charged last year with drumming up support for a terrorist organisation by pledging allegiance to Islamic State of Iraq and Levant (Isil).