A WANTED 22-stone violent thug nicknamed "the Beast" was arrested in Nazeing.

Bradley Stantiford, 33, from Nazeing, was being hunted by Hertfordshire police after breaking the terms of his day release from prison.

Stantiford, whose mammoth strength earned him the nickname, is serving a five-year sentence for grievous bodily harm.

Stantiford was found at a property in the village shortly after 2am on Monday.

A 35-year-old woman was arrested at the property on suspicion of perverting the course of justice.

A spokesman for Hertfordshire police said: "He is quite a violent man, so it was important for us to catch him as soon as possible."

Hertfordshire Constabulary thanked members of the public and the media for their assistance.