THE father of a “kind and respectful” 21-year-old, fatally stabbed by two robbers desperate for cocaine, says his death has left the family “devastated”.

Agim Dauti’s emotional statement was read out as killers Lee Williams and Christopher Jones were jailed for a combined 40 years for causing the death of his son Shkelzen Dauti.

Eyes welled around the court as Mr Dauti’s statement explained how the family had been torn apart by his son’s death, which took place following an attack in Southampton in March.

In a statement, he said: “This has left a major hole in our lives.

“We all love him and miss him very much.

“I was there the day he was born and I wish I could have been there the day he died, to hold him.

“He did not deserve to die in this way.”

Yesterday, Judge Keith Cutler sentenced Jones and Williams to 20 years each for the manslaughter of Mr Dauti, nicknamed ‘Genny’.

The pair had pleaded not guilty to murdering the 21-year-old in Gilpin Road, Thornhill, on March 11 this year.

But on Tuesday, two days into the trial, the pair admitted to his manslaughter.

Jones and Williams, both of Wales, also pleaded guilty to robbing Mr Dauti, an illegal immigrant who was working as a drug courier at the time of his death.

They were both given 10 year sentences, which will run concurrently to their 20 year term.

As previously reported by the Echo, Williams, 27 and Jones, 28, stabbed and killed Genny, who was sent to Gilpin close to deliver them cocaine.

But the pair had no money to pay for the drugs and instead ambushed the courier on his arrival.

After stabbing him in the chest with a 10inch kitchen knife, penetrating Genny’s heart, Jones and Williams stole his money and drugs.

Then, in an act described by William’s own barrister as “disgraceful and distasteful”, the pair spent their ill-gotten gains at a brothel – less than four hours after the attack.

On Tuesday, prosecutor, Tahir Khan, QC, said how the men spent around 30 minutes “utilising the services” of the sex-house.

He produced CCTV images of the pair, which showed one of the men paying with a wad of cash - believed to be Genny’s.

Mr Khan told the court how Jones and Williams appeared relaxed and in high spirits throughout their visit.

The video showed the pair returned twice more to the brothel, but did not use the services again.

They then visited Mr William’s flat in Slough, before being picked up a by friend.

The group attempted to drive to Wales, but were stopped by police on the way.

Jones and Williams were subsequently arrested.

At their sentencing yesterday, Mr Khan told the court that both had a long history of criminal behaviour.

He revealed how Williams, wearing a grey polo shirt, had 24 previous convictions, including affray and two charges of assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH).

Meanwhile, Jones, was revealed to have 27 convictions, including battery, assault and racial abuse.

He asked Judge Cutler to sentence the pair in the highest category, saying their actions had shown little regard for Mr Dauti, who they had “left to die in the road”.

But Mr William’s barrister, David McLachlan, QC, said his his client, who stabbed Mr Dauti once in the chest, had not meant to kill the 21-year-old.

He said Williams had a “significant problem” with cocaine addiction and had only attempted to rob Mr Dauti.

Mr McLachlan accepted though that Williams, a father-of-three, had made a “terrible, terrible mistake” but asked Judge Cutler to impose a lesser sentence.

Jones’ barrister, Patrick Harrington, QC, told the court how his client was not a “born leader” and lived a “feckless life”.

He reminded the court that Jones had not stabbed Mr Dauti during the incident.

However, Judge Cutler said he viewed the pair as “equally culpable”.

He said that Mr Dauti was likely a drug courier due to his status as an illegal immigrant.

The judge said that as he was alone, without a weapon and against two men with a knife that Mr Dauti was “vulnerable”.

Judge Cutler said: “You did not need this knife to make it a successful robbery.

“It was a fearsome weapon which you didn’t need to use.

“But you did use it, with a forceful blow.”

Alongside the 20 year manslaughter sentence, Judge Cutler handed them both 10 year sentences.

Williams was also handed a further two year concurrent sentence for possession of a bladed article.