A bus driver threatened a passenger causing her to fear for her safety following an argument over a ticket, a court heard.

IPSWICH: A bus driver threatened a passenger causing her to fear for her safety following an argument over a ticket, a court heard.

Peter Harris, 53, admitted a charge of threatening behaviour when he appeared at South East Suffolk Magistrates' Court.

The court heard Harris, of Windsor Road, Ipswich, who had been a bus driver for several years, had lost his job as a result of the incident on August 19.

Tess James, prosecuting, said: “A woman got on his bus with a ticket that she thought was valid.

“She was told abusively that it was not. She then offered a travel card but he snatched it off her and screwed it up.

“She asked for it back but he refused. Following this exchange, she bought a ticket and went to sit down.

“At the end of the journey she got off the bus at Ipswich station.

“The driver also got off, marched towards her and demanded she delete photos which she had taken on her mobile phone.

“She was standing with her back against a wall and he tried to reach around her to grab the phone.

“He was threatening towards her and she feared for her safety.

“He said “if you get on my bus again you'd better watch out” before walking off.”

The court heard that Harris thought the passenger was trying to avoid a fare.

District Judge David Cooper told Harris: “You're of good character - but this was a bad day for you.

“However, you lost your job and I think that you've been punished enough.”

Harris was given a conditional discharge for one year.

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