THE family of a Bradford teenager whose life has been “ruined” has called for a harsher sentence for the motorist who ran him over.

The 18-year-old was walking home from Lister Park in 2019 when he was struck by a white Mercedes driven by Thaaqeeb Zafar.

Zafar, who was 19 at the time, was driving his mother’s Motability car when he hit the teenager.

The victim was left with the mental capacity of a five-year-old as a result, and will be “dependent on others for the rest of his life”, his family said.

Zafar pleaded guilty to dangerous driving shortly before the collision, and careless driving when he struck the teenager. The court heard that the dangerous driving was a separate incident, and that he had slowed down before hitting the victim.

Zafar fled the scene, returned and drove off again before police arrived.

He was sentenced to four months’ imprisonment, suspended for 12 months, and was also banned from driving and fined £500.

The victim’s family said they believe the sentence was unduly lenient, arguing that justice “has not been done”.

One relative, who wished to remain anonymous, said: “We are so disappointed - it’s unbelievable.

“You think the laws are there to protect you, but we don’t see any justice here.

“We feel the defendant has gotten away with it. He got a suspended sentence for almost killing somebody.

“He left him to die. He should have had a harsher sentence, normally these cases would get you five years in prison.

“If we got justice, we would have some satisfaction at least. But does this sentence mean it’s okay to knock people down, not ring an ambulance and leave the scene?

“They say time heals, and we were getting back to some normality, but this sentence has put us back at square one.

“It’s been really tough for all of us, we’re heartbroken and helpless, and his dad almost had a nervous breakdown.

“He was a young lad with his life ahead of him. Now, he can’t do anything on his own.

“He lost his memory, he couldn’t walk and couldn’t talk. He’s had to learn everything all over, he’s reverted to being like a child at nursery.

“He’s also partially sighted and has weakness all down his right side. He needs constant care and supervision.

“I’ve been ringing solicitors hoping we can pursue an appeal against the sentencing, but so far we have not found one willing to help.”