The family of a man who suffered life-changing injuries after a hit and run collision near Chepstow have been left enraged - and demanding answers - after the case against the alleged driver was unexpectedly withdrawn from the court list.

Father of three John Conibeer, now aged 34, was struck by a van on the A48 at Pwllmeyric Hill in the early hours of 17th February 2018, leaving him with such serious injuries that at the time he was given just a two per cent chance of survival.

Police found bumpers from the van involved in the collision on the road but almost a year later - and after the victim had undergone many hours of surgery - the driver had still not been identified.

A 43-year-old Rogiet man was eventually arrested in connection with the incident and was due to appear before Newport magistrates last Thursday on charges of failing to stop and failing to report a road traffic accident where injury was caused to a person.

But a court official confirmed to the Beacon that the case had been withdrawn, with the reason given as ‘out of time’.

John Conibeer had been a passenger in the car driven by his partner when it had a blow-out and crashed into a wall. He had got out of the car, a black Honda Civic, and was struck by a passing vehicle.

The impact broke virtually every bone in his body. While he ultimately beat the odds, he was left permanently disabled.

The family say he had been a very fit man - a keen footballer and boxer - and that this had probably been a key factor in his survival.

But the horrific incident has left him mentally and physically scarred and he is currently facing the possibility of having some of his fingers amputated. The family say they had attended Newport Magistrates last week ‘looking for answers’ and can’t believe that a case of such a serious nature has fallen through the legal net.