A DRUGS gang found guilty of killing a Southampton dad have been sentenced to a total of 90 years in prison.

The judge today sentenced Pierre Lewis, Jemmikai Orlebar Forbes, and Isaac Boateng to after jurors on Friday found them guilty of fatally shooting Jahmel Jones at a flat in 69 St Mary Street on April 20 last year.

They previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply Class A drugs.

Lewis' girlfriend Rachel Kenehan, a university lecturer who was found guilty of assisting an offender, conspiracy to Class A drugs, and perverting the course of Justice, was handed a three and a half year sentence.

She previously denied all charges.

The sentences come following a six week trial at Winchester Crown Court.

The three gang members were brought into court in handcuffs following an incident in the custody cells on Friday. Two security guards suffered minor injuries in a scuffle.

Kenehan sat with her defence counsel at the request of the judge.

The judge handed a sentence of 29 years to Lewis, 30 years to Boateng, and 31 years to Orlebar Forbes, for the murder of Mr Jones.

Lewis was handed a further nine years, Boateng eight years, and Orlebar Forbes seven years, for conspiracy to supply Class A drugs.

The sentences will run concurrently.

Judge Hon Justice Keith said passing sentence: "Carrying a loaded firearm is an exceptionally dangerous thing to do and the usual reason why someone has a loaded firearm with them is to kill or at least cause really serious injury.

"The fact you were all drug dealers suggests this may have been a turf war of some kind.

"You decided that he had to be dealt with In such a way to show the three of you were a force to be reckoned with. The only reason for your panic after jones was shot is that there was an eye witness there.

"This was an execution, nothing more nothingness."

Sentencing Kenehan, he said: "If one was looking for stereotypes, you would be the gangster's moll, but I think that would be too facile a description of you.

"You are a woman of many talents, hugely gifted with intellect, ambition and drive, with kindness, generosity and spirit who impressed the many people who spoke so highly of you during the course of the trial.

"You became infatuated with Lewis, and I'm sure Mr Lawrie (prosector) was right when he described you as having a blind spot when it came to him.

"It was your infatuation with him that made you do things Mr Bruce (her defence) described as spectacularly out of character.

"Had you not met Lewis you would not be where you are now.

"Whether you will ever be able to pursue your career in the future is now highly questionable, that is the real punishment for you.

"I conclude expressing the hope that you can one day return to the field of criminology in which you have so much to contribute with the advantage of the new perspective you will have having seen the system in operation."