Man murdered during cocaine robbery, court hears

Levi Kent, 22, was repeatedly stabbed after refusing to provide cocaine on credit, a court heard

Two "laughing" brothers murdered a drugs runner who refused to give them credit, a court has heard.

Levi Kent, 22, was stabbed in his car before being chased and stabbed repeatedly in Keyes Road in Bridgemary, Hampshire, in the early hours of 24 November, the jury was told.

Aiden West, 24, of Tudor Close, Gosport, denies murder and possessing a blade in public. However, his brother Tommy West, 18, has admitted the charges, prosecutors told Portsmouth Crown Court.

Peter West, 42, of Fisgard Road, Gosport, and Michael Figgins, 64, of St Ann's Crescent in the town, are each charged with assisting the pair.

Nicholas Haggan KC, prosecuting, said the half-brothers who share the same mother, planned the robbery after Mr Kent refused to defer payment for cocaine.

They armed themselves with knives and arranged to meet him behind shops in Nobes Avenue, the barrister told the jury.

Mr Kent was stabbed in his car by Tommy West and crashed into a row of garages a few metres away, Mr Haggan said.

The victim ran off, leaving the engine racing with the accelerator jammed to the floor, the prosecutor added.

Floral tributes were left in Keyes Road following the death

Mr Haggan said a witness then saw the brothers attack Mr Kent in nearby Keyes Road.

"Aiden West kicked Levi Kent to the head and side several times," the prosecutor told the jury.

"Tommy West then pulled out a knife and stabbed Levi several times.

"Aiden West searched Levi Kent's pockets. The brothers were laughing."

Mr Kent was pronounced dead in hospital from a stab wound to the heart, the barrister said.

Mr Haggan said several people had pleaded guilty to helping the brothers.

Their mother Joanne West, 45, arranged a taxi to take them from the crime scene to the home in Harbour Tower of Liam Savage, 37, and both admitted charges of assisting offenders, the court heard.

However, Peter West and Michael Figgins deny providing transport and helping to conceal evidence, the court heard.

The pair claimed they collected the brothers from Mr Savage's flat to take them to the police, but drove them around Gosport for several hours before Tommy West handed himself him at about 17:00, the barrister added.

The teenager, of Fisgard Road, later admitted murder, robbery and knife possession, the court heard.

Aiden West, who has admitted robbery, was found by police and arrested on 25 November, the jury was told.

The trial continues.