A FORMER driver appeared in court today charged with murdering a driving agency boss, trying to murder three workers and holding them captive.

Russell Leon Carter, 52, appeared before Newport Magistrates charged with murdering Driverline 247 company director Kingsley Monk, 45, of Maesygarn Road, Oakdale, his former boss.

He was also charged with the attempted murder of three workers at the New Inn business, local men Robert Lewis, Nathan Taylor and Gethan Heal, and four counts of false imprisonment.

The charges come after Mr Monk was found dead at his Pontypool business on Monday and three other men were taken to Newport's Royal Gwent Hospital. They have since been released.

A major police investigation was launched after the discovery of Mr Monk's body by Gwent Auto Factors owner Allan Styles.

Today, Carter, of Penrhos Crescent, Rumney, Cardiff, who has dual British and Canadian nationality, was led into court in handcuffs wearing a black jumper and trousers, and brown tinted glasses.

He spoke only to confirm his name and date of birth.

Today's hearing involved Milagros Davies for the prosecution and Andrew Twomlow for the defence, before the bench of magistrates chaired by Paul Lavin.

Carter was remanded in custody until a preliminary hearing at Newport Crown Court on October 30.

A police search for a silver handgun alleged to have been used in the incident continued on verges along the A4042 near Croesyceiliog today.