THE man who murdered Kingsley Monk and attempted to kill three of his colleagues was told he would probably die in prison as he was handed one of the lengthiest sentences in the country yesterday.

Russell Carter, 53, was given a life sentence for killing the father-of-two and attempting to murder Gethin Heal, Robert Lewis and Nathan Taylor in a four-hour attack at the Driverline 247 premises in Pontypool on October 20 last year.

He will not be considered for release for at least 30 years.

Recorder of Cardiff Nicholas Cooke told a packed Newport Crown Court Carter's crimes were acts of "wickedness".

He said: "The murder was frenzied and there's no doubt you tortured Mr Monk before killing him. The jury concluded you intended to kill Mr Lewis, Mr Taylor and Mr Heal.

"Your intention was evil. The fate you wanted for these men was horrific. You wanted them to die either by being burnt alive or asphyxiation as they lay bound and helpless.

"That you intended such an end for three human beings identifies you as extremely dangerous and thoroughly bad."

He said he didn't accept Carter suffers from any mental disorder, adding the sentence is likely to lead to Carter dying in prison .

Speaking outside court, Mr Heal said: "The sentence is the best we could have hoped for but as far as I'm concerned he doesn't deserve to live.

"I don't think this will help me come to terms with it. He didn't want us to come out of there. It was terrifying.

"I said goodbye to my family so many times in my mind, I was hoping he would hurry up and get it over with in the end."

Mr Monk was found dead with a tie around his neck at the Driverline premises and the other three men were bound, gagged and threatened with a gun. Mr Lewis will receive an offical commendation for his bravery.

Carter, of Penrhos Crescent, Cardiff, has two previous convictions for armed robbery in the United States.

He was sentenced to life imprisonment not to be considered for release for 30 years, 25 years for each attempted murder and ten years for false imprisonment all to run concurrently.

After the sentence was read out Kingsley Monk's step-father Dennis Jones, said: "I find it reprehensible Carter was allowed to come into this country and murder our boy.

"If the man had the punishment Kingsley's family suffered he would not see the light of day for at least a thousand years. The only thing he didn't have was horns and a tail."

He added Kingsley's sons Rhys and Matthew were managing but his wife Deb had been under a lot of stress.

"Every time I look at her I could cry," he said. "And his mother has been in such a state. This man will never suffer the sort of punishment I would inflict upon him if I had the chance."

Detective Chief Inspector Paul Griffiths, who led the investigation into Mr Monk's murder and the attempted murder of Mr Lewis, Mr Heal and Mr Taylor said: "Our thoughts remain with Kingsley's family and friends who will live with the tragic consequences of Carter's actions for the rest of their lives.

"I would hope the sentencing of Carter and the knowledge he has been taken out of society for a very long time will bring some closure, however small, to those who are suffering the loss of Kingsley.

"I also hope itt brings some closure to Kingsley's colleagues Bob, Gethin and Nathan who were very brave throughout their ordeal and the trial."