A 20-YEAR-OLD Newport man has appeared in court charged with three counts of attempted murder following the shooting in Somerton earlier this month.

Brogan Hooper, of no fixed abode, appeared in Cwmbran Magistrates Court this morning.

He is charged with the attempted murder of John Phillips, Michael Wall and Shanice Francis on September 3.

The District Judge said the charges were too serious to be dealt with in magistrates court, and sent the case to Newport Crown Court.

A 22-year-old Newport man has already been charged with three counts of attempted murder and appeared before Caerphilly Magistrates on September 9.

A further two Newport men, aged 22 and 24, who were arrested on suspicion of attempted murder remain on police bail pending further enquiries.

Two men from the Cardiff area, aged 22 and 24, arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of controlled drugs also remain on police bail pending further enquiries.

Gwent Police continue to search for the firearm used in the incident, as well as a dark coloured 4x4 jeep type vehicle that was seen driving along Chepstow Road and onto Beechwood Road in the direction of St Julians and Christchurch.

If you were in the area between 11pm and midnight on Tuesday 3rd September and have information relating to the vehicle or the incident, call 101 quoting log 586 03/09/13 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Hooper was remanded in custody and will next appear at Newport Crown Court on September 26.