A taxi driver who fell asleep at the wheel, causing a crash which almost killed his passengers, was today facing prison.

Michael Breeds, 55, had been on the road for 19 hours without a break when he nodded off and slammed into the back of a parked Transit van.

Breeds was found guilty of dangerous driving by a jury at Lewes Crown Court after less than 60 minutes' deliberation.

Judge David Rennie warned him he could be sent to prison. Licensing authorities are deciding whether to take away his taxi licence.

His four passengers greeted today's verdict with relief.

Andrew Wynn, who had to wear a neck brace for three months after breaking his neck in the smash, said: "He almost killed us all."

The accident happened on the A259 at Peacehaven in the early hours of August 25 last year.

Breeds, of Marine Drive, Bishopstone, near Seaford, was driving the four friends back from a birthday celebration at a Brighton nightclub.

He told the court he had not been tired and only needed four hours' sleep a night.

And he tried to convince the jury the crash happened because he had been momentarily distracted.

After the verdict was announced, Judge Rennie said: "This was a breach of trust of the public who are entitled to expect taxi drivers to be wide awake at all times."

Mr Wynn, 28, of Barn Rise, Seaford, was in the cab with girlfriend Nicola Dillon, 23, and friends Joseph Sheath and Ryan Furminger, whose 31st birthday they had been celebrating.

His head hit the seat in front with such an impact two front teeth were broken.

He is still receiving treatment and taking medication and fears he will suffer pain for the rest of his life.

He said: "This is the best result we could hope for. Obviously the jury saw through his defence. At the end of the day he could have killed us all.

"I'm extremely lucky. My spinal cord was not damaged. If it had been I could have been paralysed.

"The accident has had a huge effect on my life. At first I could not get out of bed and I could do nothing for myself. It has been a very difficult year for us all."

"I lost my job. My feelings are compounded by the fact he has shown no remorse. He has never apologised."

Mr Wynn's girlfriend, of Vale Road, Seaford, had a fractured arm.

Mr Furminger, also of Vale Road, suffered cuts and bruises to his head.

Mr Sheath, 23, from Kent, escaped serious injury.

Breeds was licensed as a taxi driver by Lewes District Council and Robbie Clark, the council licensing officer, said he had not broken any regulations by working such long hours.

He said: "There is no legislation which governs taxi drivers' working hours."

Mark Donaldson, Lewes district chairman of the Hackney Carriage Plateholder Association, said: "On average, a taxi driver in the Lewes area works 70 hours a week."

Breeds was released on bail until September 12, when he will be sentenced.

He was given an interim driving ban.