Bus driver attack boy facing custody
Friday, November 07, 2008, 09:46
A TORQUAY teenager who savagely beat up a bus driver has been warned he faces a custodial sentence.
The 17-year-old rained blows down on Stagecoach driver Charles Sellars, who believed he was going to die, a court was told.
The youth also assaulted two bus passengers in a drunken attack in Brixham.
Today, the bus company welcomed the stark warning saying: "Our bus drivers should be able to work free from fear of attack."
The teenager, pleaded guilty to a charge of grievous bodily harm and two counts of assault.
Magistrates, sitting in Newton Abbot, were told the nature of the crimes were so serious, the youth could spend time in youth custody.
The ferocious attack happened on the night of Saturday, July, 12.
Mr Sellars had been told by another bus driver that there could be some potential trouble with some youths and was advised to stop short of his destination, prosecutor Chris Bittlestone said.
He pulled his bus over by the junction of Linthorpe Way.
Mr Bittlestone said the youth, who was 'well in drink' stood in the doorway of Mr Sellar's bus and asked for a lift to Paignton.
He said: "He told him he could not do it because his bus was not in service."
The youth became aggressive, he said, adding: "As Mr Sellars steps on to the bus platform, he is punched to his left eye socket by the youth with his clenched fist.
"He went to the floor in a heap. The youth continues to hit him. He doesn't know if he is kicking or punching him.
"He thinks he is in danger of being killed and blacks out for a while before coming to his senses."
Mr Bittlestone said, in a further melee, the youth continued to attack Mr Sellars and when a woman passenger intervened she was punched in the chest.
As a result of the attack, the bus driver sustained bruising and a fractured jaw.
He was signed off work sick and experiences bouts of dizziness and unsteadiness, the court heard.
Magistrates were also told, in an earlier incident, the youth had hit a passenger on another bus.
Mr Bittlestone said: "The youth can't remember the exact sequence of events because of what he had drunk."
Mitigating, Paul Dentith, said the 'exceptional' case could be placed within the category of a custodial sentence but asked magistrates to adjourn for reports to be prepared by the Youth Offending Team ahead of sentencing.
The teenager was told to stay out of trouble before being released on unconditional bail to return to court on November 26.
After the case, Stagecoach's Torbay operations manager Christina Ratcliffe said: "This was a totally unprovoked attack on an employee of ours who has since been unable to get back behind the wheel of a bus.
"We are pleased the court is taking this seriously and we hope justice is meted out.
"Our drivers have the right to work in an environment that is free from abuse.
"Thankfully, incidents like these are isolated and we are working closely with police and local councils to made sure we find a permanent solution to anti-social behaviour."
End of item.
I have known Andy Sellers since I started work at Torquay 10 years ago, though I never knew his name was Charles. He was always cheerful, helpful, enjoyed his work and got on well with drivers and passengers alike. It was always a pleasure to see to him and any conversation with him was always enjoyable if at times a little erratic. For some one to attack him like this and then use the "I was drunk." excuse is despicable. Let's hope the court deals with this 17 year old in a suitable manner.
Many years ago when driving a taxi in Manchester I was punched once it the face. Nothing like the vicious attack Andy suffered, I didn't even need medical attention unlike Andy but it still took along time before the memory of the attack to fade to the point that I no longer thought about it every time I picked a passenger up. This is the long term effect of such an incident and can last even when the physical damage has repaired.
I can only wish him well and hope this incident won't drive him away from the job he so much enjoys.
6 comments:
bet mr and mrs xxxxx from torquay are very pleased that there son turned out to be a nasty twat . but he was like it at school so he,s not learned his lesson . maybe a stint in prison will make him realise that you can't go around doing these sort of things with out paying the price
Sorry Anom I have had to remove the name but even I can't give out names that are with held for legal reasons.
Sad state of affairs Dave. Thanks for the child's picture above. - Dave
Stagecoach haven't tried to blame the driver for getting out of his cab yet have they?
Thats bloody disgusting. What kind of people do such a thing? Also I don't think his parents did a very good job of bringing him up if they think its okay for him to be wandering around drunk.
Also why didn't the bus have a bandit screen fitted??
Around here (Cambridge) ALL late night buses have to have bandit screens (and preferably CCTV) installed otherwise the driver can refuse to take it out.
I think a custodial sentence is the right way to go here........he needs to learn his lesson.
apart from the obvious need for money i cant understand how you can go back after such an incident. it happens around here too. the sentences are not long enough. but overwhelmingly this country needs to wake up to the fact that alcohol is just too cheap and too easy to buy.
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