Bus passenger locked up after attack on driver in Stoke
A DRUNK who tried to steal cash from a bus driver after failing to deceive him by using his friend's ticket has been jailed.
Junior Williams and Nicky McLean boarded the Number 21 bus in London Road, Stoke, at 2.30pm on August 15 last year.
-
McLean showed his valid ticket and then handed it back to Williams who showed it to bus driver Michael Clarke.
But Mr Clarke took hold of it and asked McLean to show his ticket again. Both men then became verbally aggressive, Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court heard.
Would you like a professional to review your CV and give you some constructive feedback?
contact BlueSky CVs for an honest review
Terms: 1 per person
Contact: 01538 710408
Valid until: Friday, May 24 2013
Prosecutor David Bennett said: "McLean snatched the ticket back and Mr Clarke instructed both men to get off the bus.
"The defendant lent around the driver's screen and took hold of the complainant's right arm and grabbed at the cash bag. Mr Clarke pushed him away and the defendant fell backwards."
Both men left the bus and Mr Clarke drove off a short distance and called the police.
Mr Clarke suffered pain and swelling to his right wrist and hand. Both men were arrested nearby.
McLean, aged 31, of London Road, Stoke, pleaded guilty to fraud by false representation and was sentenced at an earlier hearing to a 12 month community order with 50 hours unpaid work.
Williams, aged 21, of Maddock Street, Middleport, pleaded guilty to fraud, attempted theft and assault.
The court heard the defendant, who has previous convictions for battery and robbery, was made the subject of a community order for battery just 13 days before this incident.
Hamish Noble, mitigating, said Williams was realistic and accepted he would receive a custodial sentence.
Mr Noble said: "The offence was committed in drink. There was no planning or intent to steal. The taking of the pass by the driver perhaps prompted the unnecessary behaviour Williams displayed."
Mr Noble said the assault involved pushing and pulling and no punches were thrown.
He added Williams was significantly under the influence of alcohol.
Judge Paul Glenn said there were aggravating features including Williams's previous convictions, he was subject to a community order, the victim was providing a public service, the effect on the victim, Williams was drunk and other people were present and effected by his actions.
Jailing Williams for eight months yesterday, Judge Glenn said: "The victim was simply trying to do his job.
"You and the man you were with tried to deceive the driver. You were not particularly subtle and when he saw through your ruse you resorted to violence.
"You had drunk eight to 10 cans of strong lager and were verbally abusive. You reached round the screen and grabbed his arm and tried to grab cash. It was plainly upsetting for other passengers and the driver was unable to continue with the journey.
"He had his arm in a sling for a number of weeks and had some time off work."
13 Comments
View all
by FFDP1
Saturday, March 09 2013, 11:22PM
“Dirty sock, can you please explain your thinking that getting drunk is in any easy going to help anyone's employment prospects. As Mel says, If anything its going to hinder them. I,m not saying don't have a drink but some take the sap For many reasons, I join you in thinking that the PM and most if not all of his cabinet are indeed planks.”
by DirtySock
Saturday, March 09 2013, 2:36PM
“this country is getting just like North Korea & other dictated countrys, the do gooders are moaning a man is drinking beer & out of work,what is left to do in this country there is NO work thats NO work the polish have all the jobs cut these lads some slack for christs sake,the bottom line is with clueless planks like cameron in power it is enough to drink a moderate drinker into a full bore alchi,this country is not nice to live in anymore the rich get richer the poor get poorer,THIS IS A REPRESSIVE COUNTRY, one day karma will catch up with cameron i swear to god he will get his comeuppance & i will LMAO....”
by FFDP1
Saturday, March 09 2013, 5:40AM
“Anon, I'd say that drinking is bigger then the drug problem in Stoke on Trent, it impacts on people life and communities every day. Many don't see the true extent of drug use, yet they notice drunks around the streets.”
by FFDP1
Saturday, March 09 2013, 5:29AM
“DirtySock, there is a big difference between the ill thought out 'Bedroom tax' or what is a future benefit cut and a minimum pricing on alcohol. Some are in a situation that they can't do anything about the bedroom tax as everyone needs a roof over their heads. However way you look at it, alcohol is not required to sustain life, if you don't get any, you are not going to suffer in any way very much, no matter what some stinking drunks say.”
by Backdoored
Saturday, March 09 2013, 12:03AM
“by DirtySock
""@backdoored"there's nothing funny about living in this cesspitt they call the uk,they were drinking cans probably about 80p each..... - Unquote.
On the dole .... with money to spend of drink? Does someone else pay their heating bills? And all the other bills that come in just to keep a 'warm roof' over our heads.
You don't get it lad. You just don't get it. You're obsessed with the 'white superiority drink 'til you drop' -at any cost to anybody else that's daft enough to prop you up. Dead beats.... laughing at the tax payer... and slapping Bus Drivers or anyone who gets in their way... 'til they try it on with the wrong man, meet someone who will just sort 'em.
Get real lad.
Read more: http://tinyurl.com/d8kwmsc
Follow us: @thisisstaffs on Twitter | thisisstaffordshire on Facebook”
by Anon_mow_cop
Friday, March 08 2013, 11:10PM
“@DirtySock
I should point out drinking alcohol on buses is not allowed.
Rather surprise someone decided to "Red arrow" me considering the reasonable nature of my posting.”
by DirtySock
Friday, March 08 2013, 10:27PM
“@ 'anon.." don't forget these empty super strength cans you say u saw will be a thing of the past once cameron brings in YET ANOTHER TAX 'volume tax' it will be an estimated 30p extra for 1 can of super lager so that will be that..bedroom tax..alcohol tax stripping the vunlerable people down like cripples / disabled making there life absolute hell,cameron is a nazi he belongs in the hague,20% less police YET he has 24-7 armed guards ... i ask the do gooders to respond to my factual statement...Ukip will get my vote for one thing they are anti migrants thats a start,flooding the uk with migrants is disgusting they never built the country up did they, so don't pick on these lads for drinking, with 'people' like cameron 'running' the uk know wonder they & other people hit the bottle!!!!”
by Anon_mow_cop
Friday, March 08 2013, 9:52PM
“As a footnote to this story, got the bus back home from Tunstall today, only to see 4 emptied super-strength lager cans under the seat in front of me.Drinking in Stoke-on-Trent is nearly a big a problem as drugs.”
by DirtySock
Friday, March 08 2013, 6:00PM
“@ "buknalmel" first of all you say who will employ a drunk answer no one, i don't know if you people are in cloud cuckoo land but there is no work!! in hull recently its 51 people to 1 interview so in fact people with master degree's will struggle to get a job let alone a couple of no mark pisc heads,also daily drinking money is a myth i think can you see cameron giving drink vouchers,he is stripping the poor & vulnerable down thats all he has done in his 'reign' don't believe all you read it will distort your mind & reality...”
by DirtySock
Friday, March 08 2013, 5:32PM
“"@backdoored"there's nothing funny about living in this cesspitt they call the uk,they were drinking cans probably about 80p each it is not against the law to drink canned beer if on the dole,(not yet anyway) they are not living the 'high life' they probably have no car just hang around hanley with nout to do,now in jail for a few months now they cost the tax payer about 1.5kk a week..'funny old world''”