Gwent Police is appealing for information to locate a 37-year-old man who has absconded from Prescoed Prison, Usk.

Damon Maynard absconded at approximately 11:30pm last night (June 22).

Maynard is described as being approximately 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.

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 is known to have connections in the Pontypridd area although may be elsewhere.

Gwent Police has activated an operational plan with the aim of locating him.

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