The three were walking along this road to go to a barbecue

Cardiff Crown Court heard unemployed Steven Price "ploughed into" William John Gibbings 37, Martin Connop, 31, and Emma Proctor, 25, "like skittles".

The court heard Price, 32, who suffered paranoid delusions, appeared to have borne a grudge against Mr Connop.

The victims were walking along a quiet road near Cwmbran when Price attacked.

The two men were pronounced dead on arrival at the Royal Gwent Hospital in Newport.

It is abundantly plain that Price was seriously psychotic when he drove his vehicle into the three unfortunate deceased Patrick Harrington QC, defending

Mother of three Ms Proctor died the next day at the University Hospital Wales in Cardiff.

Peter Murphy, prosecuting, told the court how Price was having delusions that Mr Connop had been trying to shoot him with an air rifle equipped with laser sights.

On the day of tragedy in April, Price took his father's purple 4x4 Ford Maverick for a drive when he spotted the three walking along the road. They were on their way to a barbecue.

He accelerated towards them - hitting them at 48mph on a 30mph road at Pontnewydd, Cwmbran.

He said: "An eye-witness said he ploughed into them and knocked them down like skittles.

"These were deliberate acts. It's clear Price intended to kill Mr Connop and kill or seriously injure the others."

Emma Proctor died in hospital the day after Price ran the group over

He said that Mr Gibbings' body was thrown 150ft by the force of being struck.

Mr Murphy said that after the crash, Price drove back to his father's home and calmly told him: "I'm very sorry I've had a slight bump."

He said that when Price's father went to investigate his son told him: "It was either him or me. He has been outside my house all week carrying a gun with laser sights."

The court was told that two months before the tragedy, Price, an unemployed engineer, had been referred to a psychiatrist by his GP - but he failed to keep the appointment.

Price was later diagnosed as suffering from paranoid schizophrenia and was suffering delusions.

Patrick Harrington QC, defending, said: "It is abundantly plain that Price was seriously psychotic when he drove his vehicle into the three unfortunate deceased.

"He will need to be kept in a secure establishment for some time."

'Much pain for all of us'

Judge John Griffith Williams QC ordered Price to be detained in a secure psychiatric hospital.

He told Price: "Those who grieve for and mourn these three will forever wonder what cruel twist of fate caused them to be walking along that road.

"That there were no more deaths was in itself a miracle."

The families of the two dead men issued a statement after the case. They said: "John and Martin were much loved by their family, friends and children.

"The circumstances in this case have caused much pain for us all.

"John and Martin are deeply missed and will be remembered for ever."

'Every parent's nightmare'

Mr Connop's girlfriend, Sarah Spanswick, the mother of their baby Joshua, said: "Martin was a big part of mine and Joshua's lives. Joshua has lost his daddy at 14 months old.

"He will never remember his dad only through photos and a scrap album I've made for him.

"What Price did is unforgivable. I miss Martin and he is ever in my thoughts. I just wish he was here today."

Ms Proctor's father, Reg Proctor, said: "It must be every parent's nightmare to lose a child. I wouldn't wish the pain I feel now and have done in the past few months on anyone.

"Nothing will bring my beautiful daughter Emma back but I am glad that her killer is locked away."

Detective Chief inspector Harry Gamlin of Gwent Police said: "The decision today brings to an end a chapter in this tragic incident.

"The families, relatives and loved ones of Emma Proctor, John Gibbings and Martin Connop will live with the consequences of Price's illness and action for many years.

"There is no doubt from our inquires that Price's driving was deliberate and targeted towards at least one of the victims."