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Rochdale Imam Jalal Uddin was murdered in February inspired by ISIS | Daily Star MURDERED: Jalal Uddin (right) was murdered in Rochdale by Mohammed Syeedy (left)

Mohammed Syeedy, 21, was found guilty by a jury at Manchester Crown Court of the murder of Rochdale imam Jalal Uddin, 71.

He will serve a minimum of 24 years in jail.

Mr Uddin had been to evening prayers at Jalali Jame Mosque earlier this year on February 18.

The respected Imam was on his way home when he was attacked and left for dead in a children’s playground. HATRED: Mohammed Syeedy, 21, was angry at the Imam's use of Islamic healing

Mohammed Syeedy, 21, was consumed by hatred of Jalal Uddin, 71, because he practised a form of Islamic healing considered by the terror group as "black magic".

Syeedy acted as getaway driver for another man, Mohammed Kadir, 24, who bludgeoned Mr Uddin to death in a children's play area on the early evening of February 18, Manchester Crown Court heard.

Kadir fled the UK three days after the killing and it is thought he may now be in Syria.

Syeedy was involved in months-long surveillance of Mr Uddin and along with Kadir stalked their prey after he left the Jalalia Mosque to go to a friend's house for an evening meal.

Mr Uddin was dealt at least five savage blows with a blunt weapon, thought to be a hammer, shortly after he entered the park in South Street, Rochdale.

The swift and ferocious attack smashed his skull and drove a piece of bone into his brain.

Their victim was targeted after it was discovered he was providing "'taweez", in which he made amulets to bring good fortune to the wearer.

There were nearly 8,000 ISIS images found on his phone and other devices.

Photographs showing Syeedy and friends raising IS-style index finger salutes and holding IS flags were also found in his home, the court heard.

In a bedroom wardrobe, investigators also found various patches, flags and a headband, all said to have contained jihadist symbols.

A video clip featuring an aid convoy he embarked on to Syria contained footage of his younger brother planting a black flag, with Arabic writing near to the murder scene in Rochdale.

Rochdale-born Muslim Syeedy claimed he was not a follower of ISIS and he was disgusted about Mr Uddin's death during the trial.

He said the so-called ISIS images were just expressions of his faith and he was "a caring humanitarian" who worked tirelessly for a number of charities.

But the jury threw out his claims and found Syeedy guilty of murder.