A warrant has been issued for the arrest of an 81-year-old woman charged with harassment and six counts of breaching an Asbo.

Dorothy Evans, of Abergavenny, failed to attend a plea and case management hearing at Cardiff Crown Court.

Her barrister said he had been told she had been to hospital but no record of a hospital visit could be found.

It was the third time she had missed a hearing since last Friday and the judge granted a warrant for her arrest.

Mrs Evans' barrister, Bernard Powell, told the court his instructing solicitor had been told Mrs Evans had been taken to the University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, on her way to court because she was suffering from chest pains.

But the solicitor carried out checks with the hospital and, two hours after the hearing was due to begin, Mr Powell said: "The hospital can't seem to find a trace of her having attended various departments. We are told it is unlikely that she is there."

Phillip Morris, prosecuting, said: "This is in fact the third time Mrs Evans had the opportunity to attend.

"It seems she may have been at the hospital (on the previous two occasions) but wasn't, indeed, this morning.

"This is a sensitive case given her age and the time of year, but my application is for a warrant for her arrest."

Mr Powell added: "All I can do is invite you to bear in mind her age and history of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolisms, which may be exacerbated by her being in a cell."

Judge Christopher Llewellyn-Jones QC granted the application.

The earliest date the case can now be heard is next Thursday, when the court reopens after the Christmas break.