A 56-year-old man was found dead with gunshot wounds to his head at his home in Ponthir, an inquest opening was told today.

Richard Baker was found at around 1.09pm on Sunday, June 22 in his garage.

An inquest into his death was opened and adjourned at Gwent Coroner's Court in Newport.

The coroner's officer David Arnold said: "Gwent Police were summoned to attend an address in the Ponthir area. The male occupant of the property had been found lifeless in the address having suffered fatal gunshot injuries.

"A shotgun was recovered from the property."

Paramedics arrived but Mr Baker was pronounced dead at the scene.

A post mortem examination confirmed that the cause of death was fatal shotgun injuries to the head.

Gwent Police are continuing their inquiries but are not looking for anyone else in connection with Mr Baker's death.