A PONTLLANFRAITH man who was taken to hospital with serious head injuries last month died on Saturday night, Gwent Police said yesterday.

David Dowden, who was 34, was discovered covered in blood at the bottom of a flight of steps outside his flat on the Penllwyn estate on August 23.

He was found by a group of teenagers who said paramedics took him to the Royal Gwent Hospital in Newport.

Mr Dowden, who lived in Fleur-de-Lis Avenue and was known as Popeye, was later transferred to the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff.

Twenty police officers were involved in the investigation following the incident and forensic officers examined the scene.

Neighbours said at the time they would not have expected such a thing to happen to Mr Dowden.

"He never bothered anyone," one said. And another neighbour added Mr Dowden was "a nice man" who would not bother anybody.

He said Mr Dowden lived alone but had been married and brought up his wife's son as his own. He was often seen walking his dog in the area, he added.

* Richard Coyle, 39, of no fixed abode, was charged with assault in connection with the incident when he appeared at Caerphilly magistrates court on August 26 and was remanded in custody.