Wanted Shropshire man James “Jimmy” Stevens was back behind bars today after being arrested by police in Wales.

Stevens, 52, from Bridgnorth, was jailed for eight years in 2004 for attempted armed robbery after brandishing a sawn-off shotgun in a Telford shop.

He was released in January but was wanted by police for breach of a prison licence which required him to live in Worcester.

The arrest in Rhyl on Friday brought to an end a three-week search for Stevens, whom police branded “dangerous”.

Photographs were issued by police as part of the hunt and members of the public were warned not to approach him under any circumstances.

Detective Inspector Jim Fox, who led the investigation, said: “This was a dangerous man that needed to be apprehended as soon as possible.

“I oversaw the investigation and it was taken very seriously from the outset.

“Strenuous efforts were made to locate Stevens, protect the public and bring him to justice.

“We hope members of the public are reassured that Stevens is now behind bars and we would like to thank those people that assisted police with this inquiry.”

Shrewsbury Crown Court heard in 2004 how Stevens, a crack cocaine addict, had walked into Madeley Stores and pointed the gun at the shopkeeper before running off when he was threatened with a fire extinguisher.