Gosport: Five convicted of helping brothers commit murder

Peter West 43, of Wimpson Lane in Southampton, and Michael Figgins, 64, St Ann’s Crescent in Gosport, gathered the offenders into a car after the attack.

They were both found guilty of helping Peter’s son Tommy throw away his clothes.

Peter West appeared in court on Tuesday and was jailed for two years, while Michael Figgins will be sentenced in November.

Sarah Flynn, 36, of James Close in Gosport, admitted putting Tommy West’s blood-stained clothes in a communal bin.

Joanne West, 45, arranged for a taxi to take her sons from the crime scene to the home of Liam Savage, 38, in Harbor Tower, where he admitted to offering them a safe haven.

Mark Phillips, 56, of Gilbert Close in Gosport was given a six-month suspended sentence for perverting the course of justice after deliberately lying to police about Ms West’s taxi booking.

Judge Bowes said in his sentencing remarks on Wednesday that the crimes were committed “against the tragic backdrop of the horrific and brutal murder of Levi Kent”.

Addressing each of the defendants, he said they all “knew something very bad had happened” when they took action to help the brothers.

Mr Bowes told Joanne West that “any mother will feel a lot of pressure when one of her children is in trouble”.

He added that her slightly longer sentence was because she “knew it was really serious” and she still “took steps to help her sons.”

Mr Bowes said there was “an element of orchestration” in Joanne West’s actions and described her as “an instigator”.