Mother's agony over hit-and-run

Rachel Jones has not been able to walk or talk since the accident in February

A mother who has kept a night-time vigil by the bedside of her teenage daughter struck in a hit-and-run accident is calling for a change in the law.

Cherie Ozdemir says justice has not been done for her daughter Rachel Jones, 13, from Aberdare, who was left critically ill and is still in hospital.

Carl Smith, 27, was handed a four-year sentence at Merthyr Crown Court on Thursday for a string of driving offences.

Mrs Ozdemir fears Smith will only serve two years - which means he will be out around the date of the second anniversary of the accident.

I feel I've lost my daughter - and my friend Cherie Ozdemir

Life for Rachel has changed beyond recognition since the accident on Valentine's Day, 14 February in her home town.

She has to be tube-fed and cannot walk.

"She can't talk and even when she cries there are no tears," said Mrs Ozdemir.

"She was a bubbly 13-year-old, loved her mobile phone, her music, boys, her appearance, and now she is unable to do anything."

Mrs Ozdemir sleeps by her daughter's bedside because she panics at night.

"Rachel is having nightmares, she wakes up quite scared, sweating, she can't speak and she can't call for help, so if I'm there she's not on her own," said her mother.

Taxi-driver's help

Rachel was crossing the A4059 bypass road between Trecycnon and Penywaun with friends when she was hit by Smith's car at around 2030 GMT.

He drove off but a taxi-driver helped to save her as she lay on the road.

Mrs Ozdemir said: "It is unforgiveable what he (Smith) has done, I will never forgive him, accidents happen I know but to leave her in the middle of the road and not attempt to help her - I'll not forgive him for that and never will and nor will her father or anyone else."

Cherie Ozdemir says her daughter will be moved away from her family

Smith, 27, from Bridgend, admitted causing grevious bodily harm, dangerous driving, failing to stop after an accident and driving without insurance while disqualified.

Mrs Ozdemir is calling for the government to look at the sentences it hands out to offenders who injure people by committing dangerous driving.

"How can you justify what has been done to Rachel?" she said.

"They gave him four years, he will do two and he's done four months - what's left - one year and eight months.

"I understand that the judge's hands were tied, he can only go by what the government says is the maximum.

"There isn't a charge for injury by dangerous driving and apparently there are 2,000 plus people a year who get injured, those drivers walk away with two years or less.

"The government needs to tighten up the loop-holes they have left in the law so people like Carl Smith don't keep getting away so lightly."

Rachel Jones was a 'bubbly' teenager before the accident

She added: "I feel I've lost my daughter - and my friend."

Campaigns

"Whatever they give him would never be good enough and it's never going to compensate for what we have lost, "I know there are campaigns going around I intend to help as much as I can."

As for the future Rachel's parents have been told it is bleak but a move to a hospital unit in Surrey will help her.

"She will be taken away from us but it's her best chance."

As for coming home, the family have been told it probably will not happen.

"We are hoping, we keep hoping, miracles do happen. She shouldn't be here and she is," said Mrs Ozdemir.

If the move takes place Mrs Ozdemir wants to be near her daughter.

"That's another issue again, you can't just up and move - things cost money and I haven't worked since the accident," she said.