A GWENT teenager left unconscious in a New Year hit-and-run says she is still haunted by the crash.

Natasha Jones was waiting for a taxi when Mohammed Shafiq ploughed into a crowd of people - and changed her life forever.

The 19-year-old from Newport was an outgoing young woman who loved socialising.

Since the incident in the early hours of New Year's Day she has been on tablets and still has nightmares.

Yesterday, Shafiq was convicted at Newport crown court of dangerous driving and two assaults after ploughing into her.

Speaking from her home in Ringland Circle, Ringland, she told the Argus: "I used to love going out. I'd go into town and to the gym but now I just stay at home.

"I'm frightened to go in a car or walk down the street. I'm still having nightmares.

"I went for a job interview but then this happened and I felt like I couldn't work.

Miss Jones is keen to be in court when Shafiq is sentenced. "He was a maniac. He deliberately drove his car into a crowd of people. "I was just standing there, waiting for a taxi and I was hit by a car. I was unconscious for 20 minutes."

Miss Jones is hoping that Shafiq is sent to prison after being convicted of dangerous driving and assault on her and doorman Kevin Boshier.

"I would like an apology. He could have killed me and the others who were standing on the pavement. I am angry that he tried to blame it all on me."

Shafiq deliberately drove at the group of New Year party-goers in Newport, the jury found. The jury rejected his claim that he went into the crowd outside the Rack and Roll club in Clarence Place after swerving to avoid Miss Jones.

The prosecution argued that Miss Jones and doorman Kevin Boshier were injured after Shafiq drove his hired Volkswagen Polo into the crowd to frighten people who had fought with his brother Sajeev.

Hywel Hughes, prosecuting, told the jury a still from a CCTV video "destroyed" Shafiq's claim he "clipped" Miss Jones before mounting the pavement and heading towards the crowd.

The 24-year-old of Greenwood Road, Albury near Birmingham had denied the charges. Judge Tom Crowther has asked for background reports on Shafiq before passing sentence on a date to be fixed.