A GANG of youths launched a terrifying attack on a Gwent woman in which she was punched, kicked, beaten, taunted with a lit firework and had her hand burned with a cigarette.

Last night, the frightened woman broke down in tears as she recalled the unprovoked attack which she says has left her scarred for life.

The woman, who is in her thirties, and does not want to be identified, was out walking her dog in an alleyway in Pontllanfraith when a group of around seven youths - ranging in age from around 13 to 18, and including one girl - set upon her in an alleyway.

The incident occurred near the Llanarth Stores at 7pm on November 7.

She was grabbed from behind and attacked. Her dog was also repeatedly kicked.

The single mother of two said: "I have never felt so scared in my whole life.

"Three of them stood in front of me, while the others stood behind, then they grabbed my arm and twisted it behind my back. I thought they were going to break it.

"They kept on kicking the backs of my legs, over and over again, and burnt my hand with a cigarette.

"I just kept on screaming at them, 'let me go, let me go', but they wouldn't stop.

"One of the boys lit a firework and held it to my face. I just thought, 'that's it, I'm going to get it'."

The woman's ordeal only ended when, seeing a couple walking nearby, she screamed for help.

She said: "They must have finally got scared. The one boy just punched me in the face and ran off."

A police spokesman said: "This was a particularly nasty attack. The woman has been really traumatised by the events.

"We are appealing for anyone with any information to contact us."

The woman said: "I just can't sleep. Every time I close my eyes I'm back there. I can't get it out of my head, no matter how hard I try.

"I want them caught. I want to see them in the dock and brought to justice."

It is understood that gangs of youths from the Penllwyn and Trinant areas were congregating in the nearby Islwyn Road park at the time of the assault.

Police are investigating the possibility that the offenders may have come from these areas.

Local councillor Malcolm Parker said: "The local community have been extremely shocked by it. Elderly people, in particular, are more apprehensive about walking on their own."

But he said the local crime and reduction officer, PC Wayne Roberts, is currently making headway in tackling crime in the area.

Pontllanfraith resident Kay Presley said: "There is a growing concern about anti-social behaviour among residents.

"People are getting fed up with it all and just want something done about it now."

The gang leader is described as white, 5ft 7in tall, between 17 and 18 years old, clean shaven, with dark gel-styled hair and wearing a dark Umbro jacket.

The female member of the gang is described as being between 13 and 15 years old, with light brown hair styled in lots of little bunches, wearing dark trousers and a zip-up jacket.

Anyone with any information should contact Blackwood police on 01495 223 673.

going to get it'." The woman's ordeal only ended when, seeing a couple walking nearby, she screamed for help. She said: "They must have finally got scared. The one boy just punched me in the face and ran off." A police spokesman said: "This was a particularly nasty attack. The woman has been really traumatised by the events. We are appealing for anyone with any information to contact us." The woman said: "I just can't sleep. Every time I close my eyes I'm back there. I can't get it out of my head, no matter how hard I try. I want them caught. I want to see them in the dock and brought to justice." The gangs, believed to be from Penllwyn and Trinant, were congregating in the nearby Islwyn Road park. Police are investigating the possibility that the offenders may have come from these areas. Local councillor Malcolm Park-er said: "The local community have been extremely shocked by it. Elderly people, in particular, are more apprehensive." But he said the local crime and reduction officer, PC Wayne Rob-erts, is making headway. Pontllanfraith resident Kay Presley said: "There is a growing concern about anti-social behaviour among residents. The gang leader is described as white, 5ft 7in tall, aged between 17 and 18 , clean shaven, with dark gel-styled hair and wearing a dark Umbro jacket. The female member is descr-ibed as being aged 13 to 15, with light-brown hair styled in lots of little bunches, wearing dark trousers and a zip-up jacket. Anyone with any information should call Blackwood police on 01495 223 673. Editorial comment: page 18