The 23-year-old ended up on a life support machine, has lost her home, her full-time job, driving licence and independence as a result of her injuries.

She now has three holes in her head following life-saving operations after she was flung from the vehicle, driven by Ashley Burnage, from Rushden.

Yesterday, she sobbed in court as Burnage, 20, from Lyndford Way, was found guilty of inflicting grievous bodily harm and dangerous driving, and sentenced to 27 months in a young offenders' institute.

She said: "He ripped my life away because I lost everything. I've lost my independence and social life and I can't go out in the evening because I'm too tired.

"I've got three holes in my head from the surgery and bald patches, which I cover up."

Since the incident on December 1, 2007, Miss Ball, of Sharnbrook, has only been able to work part-time and lost her home.

She suffers from double vision, tinnitus, poor short-term memory and concentration problems after suffering a terrible brain injury.

During the trial at Luton Crown Court, the jury heard Burnage and a friend had been ejected from the Fordham Arms pub in Sharnbrook after an altercation with one of the locals.

Outside, they caused damage to the pub and a car windscreen before trying to leave in their Chevrolet Kalos as people came out to see what was happening.

Miss Ball and others tried to stop Burnage driving away in his friend's hire car but she ended up on its bonnet.

Judge John Bevan QC said: "No sentence I can pass can begin to undo the appalling damage you've done by your outrageous behaviour on that night.

"The fact is you put her on a life support machine and she has not yet clearly recovered."

He accepted Burnage had not intended to seriously injure Miss Ball but he was satisfied he had been unfit to drive after drinking.

In mitigation, Patrick Malloy said his client had no previous convictions and had immense sympathy for the victim.

Burnage, who was acquitted of common assault on another man, who it had been alleged was also struck by the car, was also banned from driving for two years and ordered to take an extended driving test
before using a car again.

The court heard his friend had earlier received a non-custodial sentence for criminal damage, common assault and permitting the use of an uninsured vehicle.