A FATHER-of two who fought against ISIS in his homeland was blasted at point-blank range with a sawn-off shotgun amid a violent drugs feud.

Hemawand Ali Hussain was described as a 'brilliant father' by his family as they issued an emotional statement after three men were sentenced for the 'gangland-style' execution of the known cannabis farmer.

His partner, Jennifer Buller, portrayed another side to the 30-year-old when she spoked at Teesside Crown Court as three men were jailed for their role in the brutal slaying.

She said: “Hammo was happy, positive and laid back. He was a brilliant father and his children saw him as their hero, a brave man who protected them. They knew about his involvement fighting against ISIS and felt so proud of this, as did the family and the rest of the Kurdish community.

"Family and loyalty was very important to Hammo and he had a close relationship with his parents and siblings in Kurdistan.”

She added that his loss had created “a lifetime of trauma” for them all. “Those who took Hammo’s life have denied us all the chance to say goodbye properly, a basic right that bereaved families should have.

“Hammo will never get to grow old with his family and see his sons get married and have children of their own. He did not deserve to die, he had the right to live his life.”

Noza Saffari, 39, of Park Lane, Middlesbrough, was jailed for 15 years, while getaway driver 33-year-old Dorian Pirija, of Trillo Avenue, Bolton, was sentenced to 19 years in custody.

Illegal immigrant and scaffolder Qazim Marku, 25, of West Drayton, London, was also jailed for 19 years.

A fourth man, Anxelo Xhaferi, was cleared of both charges and was immediately released from custody.