UPDATE, Sunday, June 28, 12.56pm: 

Gwent Police have updated their appeal for Maynard on Facebook, stating they think he is in the Pontypridd area.

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POLICE yesterday renewed their appeal to trace a missing prisoner who served a life sentence after a possible sighting in Nantyglo.

Damon Maynard, 37, absconded from Prescoed Prison, Usk, late on Monday night.

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

Gwent Police said that someone matching his description had caught a taxi from Nantyglo at about 7pm on Wednesday and asked to go to Abergavenny and Tredegar.

A police spokesman said that if it was him he may well have connections in those areas.

He is also known to have connections in the Pontypridd area, Gwent Police said.

Around the time of Maynard absconding, a black Vauxhall Astra and a red Ford Fiesta were seen in the area of the prison.

Officers are keen to speak to the drivers as they made hold vital information.

Maynard is around five feet seven inches tall, of slim build with short dark hair.

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

Anyone with information about his whereabouts is asked not to approach him and call 999 quoting the log reference number 605 22/06/15.