POLICE failed in their bid to close down a flat at the centre of drug use and violence, a court decided today.

Gwent Police called on magistrates to impose a closure order after receiving nearly 50 calls about the Cwmbran property.

Ex heroin user Lewis Haysham, 25, has lived at the flat in Granston Square for seven years, Cwmbran Magistrates' Court heard.

A visitor called Daniel Lynch was hit on the head with a baseball bat at the flat last month [March 2015].

Giving evidence, Gwent PC Tom Delaney said there had been "fighting" and "violence" at the Bron Afon property.

He added that heroin and cannabis had been smoked at the flat.

People also used legal highs at the ground floor flat and the electrics were tampered with, magistrates heard.

But the court ruled there was no "serious nuisance" to the public and an order was not necessary.

Police had logged 48 calls about the flat since 2007, magistrates heard.

People gave statements to police anonymously for "fear of reprisals", the court heard.

PC Daleney said: "We're getting a number of calls at that adddress and concerns due to the general disorder. People are in fear."

A closure notice stopping Mr Haysham from letting people in was imposed on March 18.

But he allowed visitors into his flat so they could collect their property later that day, the court heard.

Mr Haysham served time in prison last year and had 19 offences recorded against for offences including theft, assault and drug matters, the court was told.

Giving evidence, Mr Haysham said he had been out of jail for six months and acknowledged he had drug problems.

His foster mum, Anita Mass, told the court he had taken heroin and now the substitute drug methadone.

She said her foster son had been able to hold down a job as a welder for two "solid" years and was now trying to set up a jet washing business.

She told the court: "Lewis is trying to get his act together."

Police prosecutor Fleur Jones had applied for a closure order of up to three months.

Cwmbran magistrate Ken Jones said: "We have heard all the evidence and read the bundle of papers provided.

"We feel there is no serious nuisance to members of the public and no order is necessary.

"We do not grant the order today."