A 38-year-old man has been jailed for his part in a brutal and prolonged attack on a bus driver.
Nicholas Warren was sent to prison for 12 weeks for what Blackburn magistrates described as a ‘serious attack on a public servant’ at Accrington bus station on February 14.
The court heard that Warren and his partner, Sharon Thompson, both of Deardengate Croft, Haslingden, were under the influence of drugs and alcohol when they fell asleep on a late night bus from Burnley to Accrington.
At Accrington bus station driver Andrew Bowman tried to rouse the couple and after a tirade of verbal abuse he was spat on.
Mr Bowman took hold of the female’s arm and tried to usher her off the bus but Warren attacked him and tried to bite his arm before pushing him backwards.
The driver managed to break free and left the bus by the emergency exit. He got back on through the front door to get his mobile phone and hit the emergency assault button.
The male and female then forced him off the bus and after his jumper had been pulled over his head the driver was repeatedly punched and kicked.
Mr Bowman was dragged to the floor and further blows were rained on him before he was able to escape back onto the bus and lock the doors, the court heard.
Warren began kicking at the doors and they only left the scene when they heard police sirens.
Bill Rostron, defending Warren, said his client accepted fully the allegations against him.
“He was under the influence of drink and drugs and after he was woken most of what followed is just a blur,” said Mr Rostron. “His behaviour was nothing short of disgraceful and he accepts that.”
Ben Leech, defending Thompson, said it was clear from the CCTV footage of the incident that his client had initially taken on the role of peacekeeper and tried to keep the two men apart.
“Later in the incident she is seen to push the driver and that is her only act of aggression," said Mr Leech.
“Nevertheless, she is deeply ashamed of her involvement and accepts the driver should be able to go about his business without being subjected to this kind of attack.”
Warren, 38, and Thompson, 47, both pleaded guilty to assault. Warren was jailed for 12 weeks and Thompson made subject to community supervision for 12 months and ordered to pay £200 compensation to Mr Bowman.
