THE fifth and final man to be convicted in Singapore's first illegal organ transplant case has been handed down a 'deterrent' jail term of eight months by a district court.

Whang Sung Lin, 45, was found guilty earlier this week for instigating his friend, Wang Chin Sing, 44, and his relative, retail magnate Tang Wee Sung, 56, to form an illegal arrangement to buy a kidney for the ailing Mr Tang last year.

The court had found that Whang, who is married to Mr Tang's niece, introduced the two men and intended to split the proceeds of the sale with Wang, who would make arrangements to procure the kidney.

Asking the court to show compassion to Whang, his lawyer Subhas Anandan said that Whang had acted in 'compassion' for a very sick uncle-in-law, and had not intended to make a profit.

However, Deputy Public Prosecutor Chay Yuen Fatt said that testimony during the trial revealed that there was no love lost between Whang and his wife's side of the family.

District Judge Sarjit Singh concurred and found Whang was out to make a quick profit from Mr Tang and was motivated by greed and not compassion.

'Illegal organ trading for financial gain is unethical and morally repugnant and a deterrent sentence is called for,' said Judge Singh.

The maximum punishment Whang faced was a one year jail term and a $10,000 fine.

Mr Anandan indicated immediately that Whang would be appealing against conviction and the eight-month sentence.

Whang's $10,000 bail was doubled.