Man injured 'after cigarette row'

A shopkeeper was injured after he was carried on the bonnet of a car driven by the father of a child to whom he had refused to sell cigarettes.

Alan Rees was found guilty of dangerous driving after Rakhvinder Singh Garcha was left permanently brain damaged.

The incident started when Mr Garcha refused to sell cigarettes to a 15-year-old boy, Teesside Crown Court was told on Friday.

Rees then entered Mr Garcha's newsagents and off-licence in Faverdake, Darlington, and made threats.

Prison sentence

The court heard Mr Garcha followed him outside and stood in front of Rees's Vauxhall Astra car.

Rees then drove off, leaving Mr Garcha spread-eagled across the bonnet.

He was thrown clear of the car after 50 yards.

Rees, 37, from Auckland Grove in Darlington, was found not guilty of causing grievous bodily harm with intent.

He was found guilty of grievous bodily harm and dangerous driving on 28 March.

Rees's wife Elizabeth was cleared of a charge of perverting the course of justice.

Rees was remanded on bail for pre-sentence reports, but the judge hinted that he might be facing a prison sentence.