FULL STORY: Teen driver who ran over clubbers in Newport city centre given 12-year sentence

McCauley Cox, 19, drove into a crowd of nightclub revellers after a fight broke out in the street in the early hours of Sunday, April 29, mounting a kerb and driving over his two victims, leaving them with serious injuries.

He was found guilty following a trial earlier this week, and this morning was sentenced to 12 years in a young offender institution.

Passing sentence, judge Daniel Williams said: “You are without a doubt a dangerous young man.

“I am satisfied having seen you that you have no remorse for what you did.

“You think you can do whatever you please, whatever the consequences.”

There were shouts of “no” and weeping from Cox’s family in the public gallery as Mr Williams passed sentence.

He added: “Both victims have suffered serious psychological harm.

“The sad truth is that, for now at least, you simply don’t care about that.”

Cox, who is due to become a father for the fist time within the next week, was sentenced to 12 years for causing grievous bodily harm with intent, as well as three years for causing serious injury through dangerous driving and three years for causing actual bodily harm, to run concurrently.

CCTV used in the trial shows Cox’s car approaching a crowd of pedestrians outside the Courtyard nightclub on Cambrian Road, Newport, as some begin fighting in the early hours of April 29.

WARNING: GRAPHIC FOOTAGE

The car clips one of the pedestrians, leading some to kick the Ford C-Max people carrier and confront Cox at either side of his vehicle.

Moments later, the car darts forward and turns on to the pavement towards a group of people, including victims Sophie Poole and Emma Nicholls, who are sitting on a kerb.

Cox runs over the two girls before reversing back over them, then darting forward once more over their bodies and reversing further down the street.

Witnesses begin to attack his car and smash its windscreen, prompting Cox to accelerate out of the road at speed, missing other pedestrians by inches.

In a joint statement Ms Poole and Ms Nicholls said: “This week has been a whirlwind of emotions for the both of us.

“The events that happened on April 28, 2018, are not something that we take lightly. We had planned a night out in the city, like every girl our age does most weekends. We did not expect anything like this to happen to us. We were innocent people trying to have a good time.

“The actions of McCauley Cox have changed our lives and this is not an over-exaggeration.

“This was a horrific ordeal and is not something you ever think will happen to yourself or to your best friend.

“Not only have we both suffered significant physical injuries, we have also suffered psychological injuries. When a life-changing event like this happens to you, your whole world is turned upside down.

“Both of us have had to seek out counselling to try and overcome issues such as anxiety and PTSD.

“The events of this night have not only affected us but also our family and friends. This is a hard situation for anyone to deal with especially when it involves a loved one. We are incredibly grateful for the support and love we have received from the people around us. We could not have got through this without the support they have provided at one of the lowest times in our lives.

“Given the severity of what happened to us on that night, we both feel very lucky that the consequences were not worse.”

They also thanked Gwent Police and the witness services for their support and the NHS for treating their injuries.

Gwent Police detective sergeant Rod Webb welcomed the sentence.

“Cox used his car as a weapon that night, as serious disorder broke out in a city centre street,” he said. “His actions – captured in shocking CCTV images and shown to the jury - have forever changed the lives of two innocent young women who had enjoyed a night out.

“We would like to thank all the witnesses who came forward in support of this prosecution. This case highlights just how vital it is to speak out and share any evidence or information you may have about an offence – without this, we may not have been able to bring Cox to justice for this horrific crime.

“But most importantly, I would like to pay tribute to Emma Nicholls and Sophie Poole, who suffered life-changing injuries.

“Throughout the investigation and court proceedings, both women have been immensely brave and dignified. Their determination and positive outlook has been an inspiration to myself and my colleagues, and we wish them the very best with their ongoing recovery.

“We hope that today’s sentence offers a small amount of comfort, and can help them take a small step forward in their lives.”

WARNING: GRAPHIC IMAGES

Images of Ms Poole and Ms Nicholls' injuries: