A bus passenger has been jailed after he went on a drunken rampage in which he punched the driver and threw a bottle at a passenger.

Anthony James Scaddan, aged 25, of no fixed address, broke the driver’s glasses and had to be pulled off him by passengers to stop the attack.

Deputy High Bailiff Jayne Hughes jailed him for 22 weeks and ordered him to pay £500 compensation to the bus driver.

Scaddan admitted being drunk and disorderly, common assault, damaging property, and threatening behaviour.

But Mrs Hughes said he was lucky to not be facing more serious charges and that he had been ’grossly undercharged’ by police.

Earlier, prosecutor Richard Butters told the court that, on December 13, Scaddan boarded the route three bus to Douglas from a stop in Albany Road, Ramsey.

Scaddan was said to be very drunk, slurring his words and unsteady on his feet. He sat on the back seat swearing as he drank a bottle of Lambrini.

When a passenger got on in Laxey, Scaddan began demanding cigarettes from him, which resulted in an argument.

Scaddan then drank the rest of the perry and threw the bottle at another passenger, narrowly missing them.

The driver stopped the bus and warned Scaddan about his behaviour, telling him he would be thrown off if he continued.

Scaddan then started harassing a woman, shouting and swearing at her which resulted in her getting off the bus.

The driver contacted the police but Scaddan asked him: ’What have I done?’

Scaddan punched the driver on the left side of the face which caused his glasses to come off and one of the lenses to fall out.

The driver said he was stunned by the unprovoked attack.

Scaddan’s rage continued as the tried to continue his assault but was restrained by members of the public.

He spat at the driver, narrowly missing him, before punching the perspex wall behind the driver a number of times and trying to rip the ticket machine from its stand.

When police arrived and arrested Scaddan, he repeatedly swore at officers and kicked the police van.

Once in custody Scaddan made vile threats saying he would kill one officer’s family.

urinated

Scaddan also urinated in a police cell.

He was interviewed once he had sobered up and said he had no recollection of any of the incidents.

He said he had drunk about six or seven bottles of Lambrini and another bottle of wine during the day.

Advocate Pamela Pringle said: ’It is obvious that this incident was caused by Mr Scaddan’s abuse of alcohol. He was going through a very rough patch.

’He lost his job in November as a labourer and then lost his home as a result.

’He then found out his ex-girlfriend was having a baby to someone else. Unfortunately he hit the bottle.’

Ms Pringle said Scaddan was now seeing Motiv8 and being treated for depression.

The court heard that Scaddan had already spent 33 days on remand.

Mrs Hughes also handed him a 12-month ban from entering licensed premises and buying or being sold alcohol.

The Deputy High Bailiff told him: ’Sort your life out while you are in custody and make sure you continue to do so on your release.’