Brave Kevin 'paid with his life'

The family's car was the gang's target

The police chief who helped put the killers of Kevin Jackson in jail said the victim "acted instinctively" when he confronted the car thieves.

And he paid tribute to his bravery saying although police advice was to avoid tackling criminals, Mr Jackson had tried to protect his property.

The three killers Rashad Zaman, 21, Rangzaib Akhtar, 20, and Raees Khan, 21, were convicted at Leeds Crown Court of murder.

Detective Superintendent Bob Stocksbridge, from West Yorkshire Police, said they had been "prepared to use violence to get what they wanted at every opportunity".

Julie had to take her son, Jake, to hospital to kiss daddy goodbye because he wasn't coming home"

Detective Supt Bob Bridgestock

He said: "Whilst there is some comfort to be drawn from the sentences given today, our feelings are with Julie, Jake and Tom and also Kevin's other relations.

"This has been a nightmare for the family that has gone on for the last year.

"They have had to cope with the ordeal of the trial in recent weeks and must now also endure what, for most of us, is the festive season and a time to be with family.

"This will be a very difficult period for them.

"The three men responsible for the brutal attack on Kevin were out to steal a car that night back on the 30 December 2001 and had travelled from Bradford in Zaman's Ford Fiesta intent on doing so.

'Highest price'

"When these men were disturbed, Kevin Jackson acted instinctively. He did nothing wrong, he did what most of us would do any day of the week.

"He challenged people attacking his family's possessions and by doing so unfortunately paid the highest price - his life."

Police revealed that during the inquiry more than 600 exhibits were seized, and more than 450 statements obtained.

He said media interest in the story had made it very difficult for the three to seek refuge within the community.

Zaman was arrested on 4 January, Akhtar on the 29 January and Khan gave himself up on the 7 February after a failed attempt to get a passport to leave the country.

The screwdriver used in the killing

Det Supt Bridgestock said: "The way of life of these people was to take what they wanted, they used violence at every opportunity to get what they could with no concern for anyone else.

"Two of the defendants were quite content to continue committing violent crimes after Kevin's death.

"They appeared totally unconcerned about what they had done and the devastation they had caused to his family.

"None of them have shown any remorse for their actions whatsoever. People like these need removing from our streets, which is, thankfully, what has happened today. Those who resort to using violence need to realise the punishment they will receive for doing so.

"The one comment which will always remain with me from this inquiry was the one made by Kevin's wife, Julie, last January.

"She said that she had had to take her son, Jake, to hospital to kiss daddy goodbye because he wasn't coming home. She told Jake that daddy was a hero."