GWENT Police are appealing for help finding a violent offender who absconded from Prescoed Prison in Usk.

Damon Maynard, aged 37, who has been convicted of wounding with intent and violent disorder, was last seen at around 11.30pm on Monday.

Police have warned that he is not to be approached and that anyone who sees him should contact 999.

Maynard is described as being around 5ft 7in tall, of slim build, with short dark hair.

He was last seen wearing dark trousers and a dark top and he was also wearing a dark baseball cap.

He pleaded guilty to wounding with intent and violent disorder at Merthyr Crown Court in May 2004 and was sentenced to life in prison.

Maynard is not a registered sex offender.

He has connections in the Pontypridd area and Gwent Police has activated its operational plan with the aim of locating him, and the prison is co-operating fully with them.

Around the time of Maynard absconding, a black Vauxhall Astra and a red Ford Fiesta were seen in the area of the prison and officers are keen to speak to the drivers as they made hold vital information.

If anyone has seen Maynard or has any information about his whereabouts they asked not to approach him but to ring 999, quoting log 605 22/06/15.