A WANTED man with a warrant out for his arrest stayed at liberty for a month - even though he was working next door to Chepstow police station, a court heard yesterday.

Painter and decorator Peter Wright, 24, should have attended Gloucester crown court on August 28 to face assault charges but did not show up and a warrant was issued.

But he was not arrested till Tuesday, September 22, despite the fact that he has been working two doors up the road from Chepstow police station, the court was told.

His solicitor, Sarah Jenkins, told the court he had not been on the run - he had simply not realised he was due in court last month and thought he did not have to attend till his trial begins on Nov 23.

Wright, of Channel View, Bulwark, Chepstow admitted a common assault on Aaron Goddard on November 9 last year, but denied assaulting Callum Power and Owain Davies causing them actual bodily harm on the same date.

He also denied driving while disqualified in Newerne Street, Lydney, on the same day, but admitted a breach of bail by not attending for a plea and case management hearing on August 28.

Judge Euan Ambrose allowed Wright to stay on bail pending trial but made it a condition that he reports twice a week, at lunchtimes on Mondays and Fridays, to Chepstow police station.