THE victim of one of Gwent's most gruesome crimes was a pillar of the community and a cancer survivor, his family said yesterday.

They praised one of the survivors of the deadly attack who tried in vain to save him.

FAMILY, friends and jurors were moved to tears as a statement made by Kingsley Monk’s widow Deb was read to the court by prosecutor Hywel Hughes.

It read: “Words cannot express the impact Kingsley’s murder had on our family.

“Russell Carter has totally devastated my life and that of my sons, Matthew and Rhys, his mother Ann, father Roy and sister Martine.”

Weeping as her words were read out, Mrs Monk, from Oakdale, held her son's hands throughout.

In her statement Mrs Monk said she had lost her husband and her best friend and was terrified she might one day forget him.

She said: “It is true what they say, you don’t appreciate what you have until it’s gone. I cry myself to sleep every night. He is the last thing on my mind every night and the first thing in the morning.

“No one sees how our hearts are breaking. Kingsley was a kind, loving caring and successful man and I am so lucky that he was my husband for 20 years.

“He made the most of every opportunity he had in life, he did not deserve to go through what he did.

“Every night I see Kingsley tied up, I see him hurting and feel the fear in his eyes, perhaps he knew that his life was about to end. I imagine his last thoughts would be about me and the boys.

“He is gone forever, I can’t believe that he’s not coming back. How could this horrific crime have happened to him?"

Mrs Monk said the family would never get over what had happened but they would get through it with each other’s support.

She said: “Now all we have left is photos and memories. I don’t have the luxury of falling to pieces, I have to be strong for the boys.

"I know he’s (Kingsley’s) here with me giving me the strength to carry on."

She said Matthew, who Kingsley affectionately called “mini me” because of their close resemblance, missed his father terribly.

She said no 13-year-old should have to deal with this type of situation.

She added Kingsley never got to see his son Rhys pass his driving test, or his 18th birthday and added that Rhys had lost his best friend.

She said: “I would like to think that Kingsley has gone to a better place but I know that he was in a good place with his loving family and Russell Carter has taken that away.

“The repercussions of one man actions have destroyed this family.

“He (Kingsley) has left a void that can never be filled and we will all miss him until the day we die.”

Mr Monk was described by his father Roy as a loving and caring husband and a wonderful father who thought the world of his two boys, whom he idolised.

In 1994 Mr Monk was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma and endured a number of treatments including an operation, two rounds of chemotherapy and a bone marrow transplant.

The former Blackwood secondary modern pupil was given a 30 percent chance of survival but always said he had to survive as he had too much to live for and had to be there for his sons, then aged five and two.

Following his experience he gave support to other patients contributing money to the Royal Gwent Hospital via Bargoed Golf Club, where he was a member.

Brought up in Pontllanfraith and the younger brother of Martine, Mr Monk left school and started an apprenticeship in the printing trade.

In 1984 he met his wife Debs and the pair married in 1987. Four years later they had their first son Rhys and Matthew three years later.

Roy Monk described his son as a self-made man who could turn his hand to almost anything.

A printer by trade he established Driverline 247 after being made redundant.

Mr Monk said: “He was a proud man who lived his life to the full. Those who met him were richer for the experience. He will be missed by many.

“His death has totally devastated this family and our lives will never ever be the same again. I have not only lost my son, but my best friend too.

"His mother will go to her grave a broken woman.”