A road-rage victim who was punched by a van driver while sitting in his car said he feels let down by what he says is “slack policing”.

The man, whose identity the Mercury is protecting, was assaulted in an unprovoked attack in Liverpool Road, Walmer, at 6pm on Thursday evening – in front of his 13-year-old son.

But despite leading police officers to the attacker’s vehicle that same night, the man claims officers failed to get vital forensic evidence that he believes could prove the attacker’s identity.

“I feel completely let down by them,” said the father, who lives close by.

He has been left with two black eyes, preventing him from working.

He said: “I don’t want to go out because people might think I’m some sort of thug.”

“I’m so disappointed my son had to see it. I am supposed to be his protector” - road-rage victim

He has been having bad dreams since the assault, and feels anxious that someone can invade his space so violently, in front of a child.

“I’m so disappointed my son had to see it. I am supposed to be his protector.”

The aggressor struck after his white van and the victim’s silver Volkswagen blocked each other in Liverpool Road between the Canada Road and Cambridge Road junctions.

The other driver appeared unwilling to reverse, so the father, aged 40, reversed his car to give way, but when he was blocked in by a light blue taxi, the attacker walked round the car, opened the driver’s door and punched him. Blood streamed down his face on to his T-shirt.

Kent Police spokesman Jon Green said: “Officers are appealing for witnesses.

“The van driver police would like to trace is described as a white man aged in his early to mid-30s, of medium build, with short brown spiky hair and was wearing a dark jacket and blue jeans.

“A man has been questioned in connection with the assault but has provided evidence which suggests he may have been elsewhere at the time of the incident.

“Officers have conducted house-to-house inquiries and spoken to local taxi firms but no independent witnesses have yet been identified.”

The police have not commented in detail on the man’s allegations, but the spokesman added: “The car was not checked for fingerprints as it is not possible to carry out the procedure after it has rained.

“I would urge anyone with information or anyone who witnessed the assault, particularly the taxi driver who was in Liverpool Road at the time, to get in touch with PC Kerry Phillips on 01304 218167 quoting crime reference ZY/5482/14.”