A MAN who got into a fight on a bus then attacked the driver who asked him to leave has escaped with a fine.

Derron Williams, of Pound Way, Cowley, admitted one count of assault by beating and was sentenced last week.

Oxford Magistrates’ Court heard on Friday how the 32-year old had been travelling on a bus in the Blackbird Leys area when he got into a fight with another male passenger on Valentine's Day this year.

Prosecutors said the bus driver, Luis Sheppard, asked Williams – who was with a friend – to get off while they were at Balfour Road.

The driver had been concerned over the apparent altercation he had seen at the back of the bus.

Williams angrily refused and started attacking the driver, punching him several times hard enough to cause injuries.

In mitigation, Williams's defence team said he had been subjected to ‘homophobic and racist’ comments while on the bus which was the trigger for the initial fight.

The magistrates' court was told that Williams had only lashed out at the driver because he was afraid that the male he had fought with was waiting for him outside.

Williams had also marked the anniversary of his grandmother's death that day and had been out for a drink in her memory – a factor which played heavily on his offending, the court was told.

In deciding sentence, magistrates – who called the incident a ‘nasty attack’ on the driver – ordered that Williams should pay the bus driver £200 in compensation.