A GWENT man was found not guilty of an attack on his ex-girlfriend which left her with a broken arm.

Jamie Blanchard, 30, of Greenmeadow Terrace, Abertillery, was cleared of charges of GBH with intent, GBH, theft, and taking a vehicle without permission by a majority jury verdict at Newport crown court today.

Keri Pretsell, 27, from Abertillery, had accused Blanchard of attacking her and stealing £60, her mobile phone and charger and taking her car without consent on September 30 last year.

Mr Blanchard always denied being at the scene of the alleged attack that day.

Claire Pickthall, defending, said the complainant had been "put up to it" by her mother due to the money she had been spending on Mr Blanchard, and had also threatened to stop Miss Pretsell using her car.

Miss Pretsell told the jury earlier this week that Mr Blanchard had attacked her at a friend's house.

She said he became aggressive and rammed her head backwards, causing it to hit the wall.

Prosecutor Janet McDonald told the jury earlier this week that Mr Blanchard then followed Miss Pretsell to the bathroom, where he pulled her hair and slapped her, causing her to fall to the floor.

While on the floor, the prosecution said, he kicked her in the legs and stamped on her arm, causing it to break.

Miss Pretsell had also told the jury that Mr Blanchard had forced her to give him the PIN number for her debit card, took money from her wallet, her phone and driver's licence, before leaving in her car.

But Miss Pickthall said: "There is no forensic evidence, no blood, and no witnesses to say what went on."

Speaking after the case, Mr Blanchard said: "I'm relieved that the truth has come out."