A KENT schoolboy grew up to become a cold-blooded assassin and arms dealer in war-torn Yugoslavia, it has been revealed.

Marty Cappiau lived in a world reminiscent of Frederick Forsyth's novels, selling arms to Chetchen rebels and doing covert dirty-work for the Croatian Government.

Two years ago, at the age of 31, he was killed in Croatia, only moments after assassinating a Mafia boss in broad daylight on the streets of Zagreb.

But he will be better known in Kent as Marty Tampling, who lived in the village of Wrotham and was a pupil at Maidstone Grammar School between 1984 and 1987, eventually becoming a prefect.

Cappiau's incredible transition will be shown tonight (Friday) in a Channel 4 documentary after he was tracked down by his childhood friend Ronnie Beacon.

Mr Beacon, 33, formerly from Headcorn, said: "I can't see why he would have gone down that road. He was no more violent than the next person."

A Murder Between Friends, produced by October Films as part of Channel 4's Alt TV series, will be shown tonight at 7.30pm.