Gosport dad who tried to help son get away with murder is jailed - police custody picture released

Peter West, 43, of Fisgard Road, has joined his son Tommy West in being locked up following the murder of Levi Kent on November 24 last year. Peter West, who was found guilty of assisting an offender during a trial in August, was jailed for two years at Portsmouth Crown Court on Tuesday. 

Earlier on Tuesday, Tommy West, 18, of Fisgard Road, was locked up for life with a minimum term of 21 years for murder, robbery and possession of a blade. His half-brother Aiden West, 25, of Tudor Close, was also handed a life sentence with a minimum term of 28 years for murder and robbery.

Levi was repeatedly knifed by Tommy West when lured to shops behind Nobes Avenue shortly after 2am on November 24. The victim was stabbed in his Vauxhall Corsa before attempting to escape and crashing his car into a wall. 

Levi, who had refused to defer payment on a deal, was then chased into Keyes Road before he was set upon again. He died following a fatal blow to his heart amid six knife injuries.

On the morning after the murder, the attackers were picked up by Tommy’s dad Peter West and his step-dad Michael Figgins before being driven to various locations - enabling Tommy to discard an Adidas top at a friend’s address in the process. Peter West would later drive Tommy West to a police station around 5pm that evening so he could hand himself in. 

But sentencing Peter West, judge Michael Bowes KC said the defendant played his part in the “horrific” murder by providing transport and helping Tommy West “conceal” evidence and was not “simply driving” around for him to say his goodbyes. 

The judge said Peter West was exposed for his “lies” when he aided his son who disposed of the Adidas top at best friend Rowan Ballard’s house. “You were fully aware of blood stains (on the top) and were delaying the inevitable surrender,” judge Bowes said before adding: “You knew what you were doing was assisting him to conceal evidence and you lied to the police and jury.”

James Caldwell, defending, said Peter West was a “father acting under difficult circumstances”. The court heard the defendant had 14 previous offences from 1998-2008, many of which were for dishonesty. Speaking of the impact on Peter West and his family, the lawyer added: “It has had a considerable impact on his children who have been separated (to live with different people).”

Other defendants in the case are due to be sentenced on Wednesday.