A man was today appearing in court charged with the attempted murder of a shopkeeper who was thrown from the bonnet of his car.

Rakhvinder Garcha, 29, known as Raj, was critically injured after allegedly being flung to the ground in the incident in Bates Avenue in the Faverdale area of Darlington on Friday.

Alan Rees, 37, of Darlington, was today set to appear before Sedgefield magistrates, charged with attempted murder and attempting to pervert the course of justice.

Elizabeth Rees, 39, also of Darlington, will also appear in court, charged with attempting to pervert the course of justice.