NEIGHBOURS of the company director, killed in New Inn on Monday afternoon, have spoke of their shock of the death of a "devoted family man."

Kingsley Monk, 45, of Maesygarn Road, Oakdale, died at the scene of the alleged robbery at driver recruitment agency Driverline 247 in New Road, after being fatally injured.

The father-of-two had lived in the village for around ten years with his wife Deb and two teenage sons.

Yesterday his next door neighbours were devastated by the news of his death.

Mrs Keron Robinson, 47 described Mr Monk as a devoted family man: "He would do anything for his family, he had two boys who were lovely kids. They were just a really nice family," she said.

"We have only lived next door for about two years and when we first moved in, he came over and introduced himself. He said they were a quiet family and kept themselves to themselves, but if we ever needed anything to just knock the door.

"I am so shocked and devastated for them, they are such lovely people."

Her husband John Robinson, 53 added: "We knew something was up when the two cars were not on the drive last night - the cars are always there. "Everytime you saw their car or if I'd come out of the house they would always say hello and wave.

"He was just a nice bloke."

Other villagers described the news as "heart-breaking" and "a terrible loss."

Mr Monk was described as a keen golfer and was a member of Bargoed Golf Club.

Fellow golfer John Maxwell, 48 said: “I’ve known him for about 12 years, he was a lovely guy. We are just totally shocked, I cannot believe it.

“He was always a lovely man, nobody deserved that. It must be terrible for his family, I’m sure everyone at the club will be thinking of them.”

Denise Richards, secretary of Bargoed Golf Club said: “He was here playing golf on Sunday with his dad, nobody can believe it. He was a lovely man, it is very sad.”

Penmaen councillor Allan Pritchard, who is also the deputy leader of Caerphilly Council, said he was with Mr Monk at a public meeting last week.

"He was speaking on behalf of the community regarding safety and traffic issues,” said Mr Pritchard.

"He has lived in the area for a few years and his family has settled in well."

He added: "When I heard about this I was completely shocked.

"You don't expect it. This isn't Chicago. We don't have any idea what it was about but it is a talking point in the village.

"People just can't understand why. He was a lovely guy.

"If the community can do anything for the family they just need to make a phone call and we will do what we can.

"It is such a young life lost and not something they can get over quickly.”

Alastair Cunnington, director at Streetwise Graphics, which is situated around the corner from Driverline 247, said he had done business with Mr Monk for the past seven or eight years.

He said: “He struck me as a very pleasant, charming sort of guy.

“Given the event and the close proximity it's obviously a shock to the business community and to the community as a whole with such a tragic event happening so close to home.

“Our thoughts go out to his family.”

Cancer battler raised funds

Mr Monk fought a successful battle in the late 1990s against non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, a cancer of the lymphatic system which returns vital fluid to the blood and protects against infection.

So impressed was he by the treatment and care he received whilst a patient at the Royal Gwent Hospital's haematology ward, he enlisted the help of Bargoed Golf Club in a fundraising drive.

The £2,000 raised was donated to the ward, to provide a new reception and dining area.

At the time he told the Argus that the care he had received was second to none.