A TEENAGE mum has admitted to causing grievous bodily harm after a hit-and-run, in which a young woman was left for dead in the road. 

Model and dancer Faye Townsend was left in a coma, fighting for her life, with severe head injuries after she was hit by a car in Tutts Lane, West Wellow on December 1, 2015, at about 1.45pm. 

Chantelle Matthews, 19, of Camilla Close, Totton, pleaded guilty to inflicting grievous bodily harm when she appeared at Southampton Crown Court yesterday. 

Miss Townsend was walking down the country lane towards Groves Down when she was hit by a white Nissan Micra that sped away from the scene.

She was found lying in the road by a member of the public who called 999.

The Micra was found abandoned in Calmore.

Matthews, who was represented by Mr Richard Onslow, originally pleaded not guilty to causing grievous bodily harm (GBH) with intent and was due to stand trial yesterday – that charge was dropped and Matthews pleaded guilty to the less serious charge of inflicting GBH.

Matthews has been released on bail and will return to court on February 24 for sentencing. 

During the investigation, police said they spoke to more than 100 motorists before eventually charging Matthews, who now has a three-month-old daughter.

Miss Townsend, who was 23 at the time of the collision, spent three weeks in Southampton General Hospital before being allowed home in time to spend Christmas with her family.

During her stay in hospital friends took to social media to wish her a speedy recovery using the hashtag #prayforfaye.

A Facebook post from Miss Townsend in which she proclaimed: “I am alive” attracted hundreds of likes from friends, family and well-wishers.

One friend, Chelsea Philps, said: “I’m so happy you’re home, you’re a fighter.”

Miss Townsend, a former pupil of the Mountbatten School in Romsey and Eastleigh College, has done shoots for London’s Pure Studios and worked for Glam Entertainment Enterprise Ltd.