Two carjackers targeted lone women driving through Cardiff in a desperate bid to steal their vehicles following a crime spree.
One terrified victim was grabbed by her face and pulled out of her car as she waited at traffic lights, before watching helplessly as the pair sped off.
On Monday the two behind the offences were jailed for a total of 11 years.
A court heard how the spree started when Dean Maxwell, 34, of no fixed abode, burgled a 63-year-old disabled woman's house last November.
He entered the woman's home while she and her grandchildren were in the house, took her handbag and drove away in her Ford Mondeo which was parked in front of the house.
But after driving to Cardiff, Maxwell - who was already disqualified from driving - crashed the car.
It was then, in the Ely area of the city, that Maxwell along with 30-year-old Jemma O'Brien staged their carjacking bids.
Prosecutor James Evans said: "They were trying to get hold of a vehicle to get themselves back to Barry."
'He gripped her face tightly'
The three incidents happened between Amroth Road and Cowbridge Road West while the female drivers were in their cars.
Following their first two unsuccessful attempts to take vehicles, Maxwell and O'Brien approached a third car while it was stopped at traffic lights.
Recounting the attack on 23-year-old care worker Cydney Harwood, Mr Evans said: "Maxwell approached from behind and gripped her face tightly with his fingers round her face and her mouth.
"He pulled her out of the car by her face and she claimed he struck her with a clenched fist in her torso.
"Miss Harwood drove off at such speed the wheels spun as they were leaving."
He added that the victim "described the fear and shock and experienced panic attacks, which she had never had before".
Charged with 19 offences
Maxwell and O'Brien were charged with 19 offences between them. Both were charged with theft, aggravated vehicle taking, attempted robbery and robbery.
Maxwell was also charged with driving while disqualified and burglary. He was sentenced to seven years and four months imprisonment.
O'Brien, from Northwall, in Barry, was also charged with handling stolen goods and received a sentence of three years and eight months.
Judge Philip Richards, sentencing the pair, said: "This was in particular a very serious robbery. The two of you worked together to take that unfortunate lady's vehicle.
"She had been driven out of her own vehicle. It is totally unacceptable behaviour."
He said that O'Brien's involvement was not as great as Maxwell's but said she "knew full well" what was going to happen and willingly played a part.
Outside court, Miss Harwood said: "I do get flashbacks. When I'm driving and I see someone crossing the road I feel really nervous.
"If I forget to lock the car door and then I see someone I panic. I work alone and at night so when I'm out late I'm not at ease."
see-http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/carjackers-preyed-lone-women-drivers-10968189
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