Man jailed for assisting Levi Kent’s killer after stabbing

Michael Figgins, 64, was charged with two counts of assisting an offender following Mr Kent’s death in Gosport in November 2023.

He was found guilty on one count only, relating to assisting Tommy West, on August 16 following a trial at Portsmouth Crown Court.

Appearing at the same court on Friday, Figgins, of St Ann’s Crescent in Gosport, was sentenced to two years in prison.

Michael Figgins (Image: Hampshire Constabulary) Mr Kent was assaulted by half-brothers Tommy and Aiden West after he refused to carry out a drug deal, and his injuries included six stab wounds to his chest and right thigh, inflicted by Tommy.

He later died from his injuries.

Detective Chief Inspector Matt Gillooly, senior investigating officer, 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.

“Levi’s family have suffered immensely as a result of this tragedy, and I hope the conclusion of this case will now allow them to move forward. My thoughts remain with them and all who knew Levi.”

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Seven other people were sentenced in October this year as part of their involvement in Levi’s murder, and the events that followed.

Tommy West, 18, of Fisgard Road in Gosport, was jailed for life with a minimum of 21 years 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.

Peter West, 43, of Wimpson Lane in Southampton, was with Figgins and they picked up both brothers in a car following Mr Kent’s murder.

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.

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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.