A FUGITIVE paedophile who has been on the run for almost four years was sighted in South Wales, detectives said today.

Gwent police received a "genuine" report that Roger Gardener of High Street, Fleur-de-Lys, was seen walking the streets of Cardiff.

But by the time police arrived at the scene the suspect had disappeared. Police officers initially received intelligence that 61-year-old Gardener had absconded to Ireland before his trial in May 2001.

Gardener is wanted for conspiracy to commit arson with intent to endanger life at his home in High Street, Fleur-de-Lys, in August 2000.

It is alleged he orchestrated the arson attack on his home in order to gain sympathy and leniency from a crown court judge, when he was due to be sentenced for indecently assaulting two girls, aged 12 and 15.

He was sentenced to 15 months in prison.

Gardener then absconded on the eve of the arson trial while he was on bail in May 2001.

A Crimewatch-style appeal was subsequently aired on Irish television and a warrant for Gardener's arrest was issued.

Gwent police are not ruling out the possibility Gardener may have returned to Wales.

Detective Sergeant Dave Ransome, who is leading the case to track Gardener, said: "I wouldn't put it past him to come back to Wales or elsewhere in the UK.

"He has a lot of friends and relatives in the area so the chances are very good that he is somewhere in the mainland.

"I must stress we have had no firm reports to this effect.

"We had a genuine report of him being seen in Cardiff."

DS Ransome is now hopeful a Crimewatch appeal in this country may throw up some new leads after admitting the trail has run cold.

Anyone with information can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.