Man jailed for helping killer after drugs murder

A man who assisted one of two half-brothers who stabbed a drugs runner to death has been jailed for two years.

Levi Kent, 22, was murdered by Aiden and Tommy West in Gosport, Hampshire, in November 2023.

The victim was attacked after refusing to allow the pair to buy cocaine on credit, Portsmouth Crown Court heard.

Michael Figgins, 64, of St Ann's Crescent, was previously convicted of helping 18-year-old Tommy West to dispose of clothing after the killing.

The brothers were given life sentences for murder in October, while five other people were sentenced for assisting the pair and perverting the course of justice.

Levi Kent was stabbed six times by Tommy West, the court was told.

When the attack started, the victim crashed his car into a wall and ran off, with the killers in pursuit.

The younger brother, of Fisgard Road, stabbed Mr Kent again, before Aiden West, 24, of Tudor Close, searched his body for drugs, it was heard.

Following the attack, Figgins and Tommy's father Peter collected the brothers and drove them around Gosport for several hours before the teenager handed himself in to the police, prosecutors said.

Figgins was found guilty of assisting Tommy but not guilty of helping Aiden West, following a trial.

Det Ch Insp Matt Gillooly said: "The sentencing of Michael Figgins now brings this case to a close, with eight people convicted and sentenced for the roles they played in Levi's murder.

"Officers worked diligently to secure justice for Levi's family, by ensuring that not only were the two people directly responsible for Levi's death convicted, but also the network of other individuals who made efforts to assist the killers in evading capture, destroy evidence or seek refuge."

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