BOSS DIES IN pounds 3,000 PAY FEUD; Court told of siege terror.

Byline: RICHARD SMITH

A LORRY driver strangled his boss in a dispute over pounds 3,000 he claimed in unpaid wages, a jury heard yesterday.

pounds Dad-of-two Russell Carter stormed into a transport recruitment office and soaked three colleagues in petrol, the court was told.

He allegedly ordered the men to tie each other up and held up a cigarette lighter saying, "I'll kill you."

Carter, 52, held his boss Kingsley Monk at gunpoint. He is accused of strangling the dad of two to death and setting the building alight.

Prosecutor David Aubrey QC said: "Carter felt he was owed pounds 3,000. He went to the office with a handgun, petrol, tape and rope." Mr Monk, 45, was taken at gunpoint away from where the three others were tied up.

Mr Monk suggested transferring the money online. Carter put pounds 2,500 into his own account but ordered that money should also be paid into other drivers' accounts just to cover his tracks.

The jury heard Carter spread accelerant around the offices of Driverline 247 in Pontypool, South Wales, then ignited it.

One of the men got free and rang 999, Newport crown court heard.

Mr Monk was dead but Gethin Heal, Nathan Taylor and Robert Lewis were rescued. Carter, of Rumney, Cardiff, denies murder and three charges of attempted murder. The trial continues.

CAPTION(S):

VICTIM Mr Monk ARMED Russell Carter