A Newport driver accused of running his 4 x 4 into a group of people who had annoyed him has been cleared of deliberately injuring two of them.

But Craig Morgan Wilmott, aged 32, was found guilty of dangerous driving and warned that a jail sentence could still follow.

Wilmott, of Maes Ingli, was immediately banned from driving, the length of the ban to be determined when he is sentenced on September 24.

He was granted bail meanwhile to allow a probation officer to prepare a report into his background.

After the verdicts at Swansea crown court the jury were told that Wilmott had several previous convictions for violence.

His record of offending, said the judge, Recorder Catherine Brown, could affect the sentence he receives.

After discharging the jury Recorder Brown turned to the public gallery and said she appreciated there had been strong feelings about what had happened during the evening of November 9 last year.

But, she added, everyone involved must accept the verdicts.

Wilmott had denied wounding Paul David Reading with intent, and a lesser, alternative charge of wounding him but without intent. He also denied attempting to cause Kieran Morgans grievous bodily harm, and assaulting him causing actual bodily harm.

Wilmott had also denied dangerous driving.

Paul Hobson, prosecuting, had alleged that on November 9 Mr Reading, his brother Mathew, Mr Morgans and Adam Davies and his girlfriend Alice Lewis had been socialising at a house in Newport.

They decided to walk to another house and set off along the A487, on a stretch without pavements.

Wilmott drove passed them and they shouted at him and there was an exchange of abuse.

Wilmott drove off but soon turned round and headed back to the group. He caught up with them as they walked across the mouth of the entrance to Maes y Cnwce.

Mr Davies saw him coming and pushed Miss Lewis out of the way before leaping clear himself.

But the Mitsubishi Warrior hit Mr Reading and threw him onto the bonnet. He suffered “unpleasant” cuts to his face wrist and elbow. Mr Morgans was also hit and spent the next month on crutches.

Wilmott drove away.

He told the jury he had returned to the group because he thought his brother might be amongst them and might need a lift.

He claimed the group had been drinking and walking in the roadway.

As he turned into Maes y Cnwce the front wheels of his car locked and he skidded into them at a slow speed.

He then panicked and left the scene in fear of his own safety.