A passenger who was filmed brawling with a bus driver from Walpole St Andrew on a city street had lost his temper after he felt the bus pulled away too quickly, a court has heard.
Shocked passengers looked on as driver Paul Roberts, 44, and Kane Allen, 20, traded blows on the pavement outside Stadia bar in May this year.
The fight was filmed on mobile phone and shared widely on social media.
Roberts, from Walpole St Andrew, Wisbech, was given an 18-month conditional discharge after being found guilty of assault.
Allen, of Mariners Lane, Norwich, gave evidence in the trial against Roberts at Norwich Magistrates Court on Wednesday, September 27.
But he was back in court on Thursday, September 28 to be sentenced having previously admitted threatening and abusive behaviour with intent to provoke a response.
The court heard Allen got on the X29 bus at Drayton Road and was making his way to his seat but felt the driver pulled away too quickly, causing him to stumble.
Jane Foster, prosecuting, said at the next stop Allen went to remonstrate with the driver and was swearing and shouting at the driver (Roberts).
Roberts remained in his seat but Allen got “caught in the doors”.
The bus moved off but stopped near Stadia where, with Allen still shouting and swearing, Roberts got out of his seat and pushed Allen off the bus.
Punches were then thrown by Roberts towards Allen and by the defendant towards the driver.
Ms Foster said: “They were both scuffling on the pavement.”
She said the fight was filmed. People on the bus gave statements and were concerned by Allen’s threatening behaviour.
Ms Foster said: “They were concerned there would be a fight and that’s exactly what happened - there was a fight.”
Stephen Poole, for Allen, said his client, who has disabilities and mental health problems, was injured as a result of the assault. He said he suffered bruising to his face after getting “a right thump around the side of his head”.
Mr Poole said Allen had “real anger problems as a young person” but had since sought help and was much calmer. He said he had a partner with two children and had to “grow up”.
He was given an 18-month conditional discharge and told to pay £85 costs and a £20 victim surcharge.
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