A MALVERN town councillor who was the victim of a road rage assault is "incensed" at the police for letting his attacker off with a caution.

Michael Charles, 71, said he suffered bruising to his face and legs and his wife had been left shaken as a result of the assault, which took place in Droitwich.

"I've completely lost faith in the police. The law is a joke. People can be attacked and nothing is done about it," he said.

Mr Charles has complained to West Mercia Police about its handling of the incident.

The attack happened on Thursday, July 13, when Mr Charles and his wife were travelling on the A38 through Droitwich.

They had stopped at a set of traffic lights and the driver of the car behind them got out, came up to Mr Charles' car and punched him twice in the face through the open window.

"I tried to get out of the car because I couldn't defend myself sitting down and he repeatedly banged the car door into my leg," said Mr Charles.

He said he did not know what would have happened if two other drivers had not intervened to stop the attack.

"I'm appalled that after what happened this man was allowed to just walk away," said Mr Charles.

He said that in other parts of Britain, road rage attacks were taken more seriously and led to court appearances, fines and prison sentences.

"The man should at least have gone to court so that a magistrate could decide an appropriate punishment," he said.

Police arrested Basil Gough, 69, from Bromsgrove, who admitted the attack, and later released him after issuing a formal caution.

A police spokesman said that as the incident was the subject of a complaint, it was inappropriate to comment.