A former army sergeant was sentenced to 20 years' jail by the High Court here today for causing the death of a 34-year-old school clerk two years ago with an explosive.

Che Rosli Che Daud, 31, was meted out the punishment by Justice Datuk Azman Abdullah who found him guilty of causing Mohd Yusrizal Mat Zain's death in front of a house at Lot 127, Blok N, Perumahan JPN Kok Seraya Chabang Empat, Tumpat.

The ex-sergeant committed the offence between 10 am and 11 am on Aug 11, 2013.

The judge said the victim's death was a great tragedy as it happened just a few days after Aidilfitri and in front of the latter's family.

Counsel Datuk Shukri Mohamed during mitigation submitted that Che Rosli was remorseful of his action.

"The deceased was not his target as they did not know each other. It was unfortunate that the deceased had chosen to pick up the explosive. The accused also had not intended to do something that would cause death," he said.

However, deputy public prosecutor Ainul Wardiah Shahidan countered that the accused deserved an appropriate sentence in the interest of the public.

"The accused is skilled in making an explosive and knows it could cause death, and had acted out of jealousy. The action was extreme and reckless," she submitted.

In the incident on Aug 11, 2013, Mohd Yusrizal, a clerk at Sekolah Kebangsaan Manek Urai in Kuala Krai died after a parcel he had picked up from the top of a Naza Citra MPV in front of his in laws' house, exploded.