RELATIVES of a shopkeeper left severely brain-damaged after a road-rage incident have criticised a decision to cut his attacker's driving ban.

Raj Garcha's father said last night his son had been let down by a judicial system that supported offenders rather than victims.

He spoke out after Alan Rees, of Darlington, won an application at London's Court of Appeal yesterday to reduce his driving ban of 12 years.

The married father-of-two suffered serious brain damage when he was flung from the bonnet of Rees's car following a heated argument over a packet of cigarettes.

He was jailed for four years in November after Teesside Crown Court heard the 30-year-old required 24-hour care and had reverted to behaving like a child because of his injuries.

Rees, a father-of-four, formerly of Auckland Avenue, in the town, was also banned from driving for 12 years, but Mr Justice Forbes has ruled he will get his licence back in eight years,

He said the longer ban would hamper Rees from gaining employment after his release from prison.

Mr Garcha senior said: "We feel very let down by the courts. Rees was only given four years and he will be out in 18 months on licence. Now they have cut his driving ban.

"The judges and courts are only bothered about the offenders, not the victim. They said it was so he could get a job, but my son can't have a job, he can't work. He was given a life sentence."

The shop owner said the family will be forced to sell their store in the town when Rees is released from prison.

He said: "I want to sell up and get away from the area. I have lived in Darlington for 40 years, it will be like ripping my heart out having to leave, but we can't stay if he is living here. We feel he will laugh at us if he sees us."

Raj Garcha was dragged 50 yards on the bonnet of Rees' car before being flung to the ground. With the help of his wife, Rees then set about trying to cover up the crime by hiding the car, repairing damage and changing his appearance.