Update: Bail granted to four murder suspects in Pontypool cyclist's death

Police investigating the death last Wednesday of 63-year-old cyclist John Reeder in Pontnewynydd, Pontypool have confirmed that the four people arrested on suspicion of murder have been released on bail until 2 October 2013 pending further inquiries. On Friday, officers had been granted an additional 36 hours to question the suspects.

Mr Reeder, a racehorse trainer and popular figure in the Gwent town, was discovered at 6am on Wednesday morning with serious head injuries after apparently falling from his bike.

He died later that day in Newport’s Royal Gwent Hospital, and the following morning Gwent Police confirmed that they had arrested four people – three men, aged 18, 19 and 23, and a 19-year old woman, all from the Pontypool area.

Local newspaper The Free Press reports that Cwmbran Magistrates’ Court granted a warrant for further detention for a period of 36 hours to Gwent Police.

No reasons have yet been given for the decision to arrest the quartet on suspicion of murder, nor the exact circumstances that led to Mr Reeder sustaining his fatal injuries.

In a statement, Gwent Police said: "We are keen for all pedestrians and motorists who passed the scene of the incident between 6.00am and 6.10am on the morning of Wednesday, August 8th, 2013 to contact Gwent Police on 101 and quote log number 73 7/8/13."