Jury retires in boss murder case

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The jury in the trial of a driver accused of killing his boss and attempting to murder three other men has retired to consider its verdict.

Russell Carter, 52, of Rumney, Cardiff, denies murdering Kingsley Monk and trying to kill three staff at Driverline 247 in New Inn, Pontypool.

The defence claims manslaughter due to diminished responsibility.

The Recorder of Cardiff, Nicholas Cooke QC, sitting at Newport Crown Court told the jury to put aside emotion.

Mr Carter has pleaded guilty to false imprisonment.

The court has heard he tied up and gagged with duct tape Mr Monk, 45, and employees Robert Lewis, Nathan Taylor and Gethin Heal at gunpoint.

As Mr Carter tried to be paid £3,000 he claimed he was owed by the firm, the prosecution alleges the men underwent a "prolonged and terrifying ordeal" lasting four hours.

A pathologist's report found Mr Monk suffered pressure to the neck and it is alleged Mr Carter throttled him, probably with his own tie.

A post mortem examination showed Kingsley Monk had been strangled

The jury also heard the prosecution claim Mr Carter set fire to the offices "to destroy all physical trace that could identify him" and to kill the three witnesses.

In his defence, Mr Carter has told the court his only intention was to tie up the men and pour petrol on them in order to have the £3,000 transferred into his wife's bank account.

He never intended for anyone to be hurt and the gun was a toy, he said.

The court has heard Mr Carter told a psychiatrist after his arrest that he had owed around £70,000 and that he had felt suicidal.

The jury has also been told Mr Carter had been in a secure mental institute in America between the ages of eight and 13, and that his parents were physically and emotionally abusive to him.

He later served with the US army in Vietnam but was discharged after suffering from stress and flashbacks, the court was told.

The doctor called by the defence found Mr Carter had a personality disorder and depressive illness. The doctor called by the prosecution said he did not.