Six people jailed after murder of Levi Kent in Gosport

Levi Kent, 22, was stabbed to death in Gosport in November 2023 after he refused to carry out a drug deal with Tommy West, 18, and Aiden West, 25.

The brothers were handed life sentences with minimum terms of 21 years and 28 years, respectively, at Portsmouth Crown Court on Tuesday.

Peter West, Tommy's father, was given two years for assisting an offender, while the half-brothers’ mother Joanne West was sentenced to 15 months at the same court.

Both Sarah Flynn and Liam Savage were sentenced to one year each for assisting an offender.

The court heard how Aiden and Tommy planned to rob Mr Kent and take his drugs and were armed with knives when they met him.

Levi Kent, 22, died in Gosport after being seriously assaulted (Image: Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary) Levi was “spooked” by their behaviour, so a second deal was arranged in Keyes Road, where Tommy entered Mr Kent’s car and stabbed him.

He ran away from the scene but was chased by the brothers and stabbed several times by Tommy.

He sustained six stab wounds in total including some to the chest and right thigh.

Mr Kent subsequently died from his injuries.

The knife used in the attack was then thrown onto the roof of the nearby medical centre, before the pair returned to James Close.

Seven people – including the half-brothers - have now been sentenced for their involvement in his murder.

Tommy West, 18, of Fisgard Road in Gosport, was jailed for life with a minimum of 21 years at Portsmouth Crown Court on Tuesday, having previously pleaded guilty to murder, robbery and possession of a bladed article.

Aiden West, aged 25, of Tudor Close in Gosport, was jailed for life with a minimum of 28 years for murder.

He pleaded guilty to robbery but denied murder and possession of a bladed article but was found guilty of the murder charge at trial in June.

READ MORE: Eight convicted after 22-year-old fatally stabbed during drug deal

Peter West 43, of Wimpson Lane in Southampton, and Michael Figgins, 64, St Ann’s Crescent in Gosport, picked up both brothers in a car following the attack, the court was told.

They were both found guilty of assisting Peter's son Tommy after he disposed of the clothes he was wearing during the attack.

Peter West was jailed for two years and Figgins will be sentenced on November 11.

Sarah Flynn, 36, of James Close in Gosport, was jailed for one year after admitting she put Tommy’s clothes in a bin.

The brothers’ mother Joanne West, 45, of no fixed abode, arranged for a taxi to remove her sons from the crime scene.

She was handed a sentence of one year and three months for her involvement.

Liam Savage, 38, of Trinity Green in Gosport, was sentenced to one year in prison after pleading guilty to two counts of assisting an offender.

Mark Phillips, 56, of Gilbert Close in Gosport, was handed a suspended sentence total of one year for perverting the course of justice after he lied about Ms West’s taxi booking to the police.

‘A cowardly act of violence’

Following the sentencing on Wednesday, Mr Kent’s family said their son was taken in a “cowardly” act of violence.

They said: “Levi was not just a victim, he was a son, a brother, an uncle, a grandson, a friend, and a source of joy for all who knew him.

“The pain of his loss has left an irreplaceable void in all our lives, one that will never be filled.

“We remember him for his incredible ability to put a smile on everyone’s faces, his infectious laugh, his impressive dance moves, and his giant heart of pure gold.

“While today’s sentencing is supposed to bring a sense of closure, we know that we will remain forever incomplete as a family.

“We are broken, and the pain that we feel is immeasurable. Knife crime has devastating lifelong effects, it doesn’t just end one person’s life, it ends the lives of all those that loved them too.

“We will continue to honour Levis memory by cherishing the moments we shared with him, and by advocating for a safer community for everyone.

“Thank you all for your support”.