A MAN has been jailed after attacking a bus driver who was forced to flee his vehicle leaving his passengers inside.Adrian McCourt, 44 of Perkins Way, Ipswich was drunk when he tried to get on the bus in Tacket Street without paying, Ipswich Crown Court heard.

A MAN has been jailed after attacking a bus driver who was forced to flee his vehicle leaving his passengers inside.

Adrian McCourt, 44 of Perkins Way, Ipswich was drunk when he tried to get on the bus in Tacket Street without paying, Ipswich Crown Court heard.

Robert Sadd, prosecuting told how the driver was punched several times in the face and was unable to apply the hand brake before fleeing from the bus which was left rolling backwards before coming to a halt.

McCourt admitted assault causing actual bodily harm.

Jailing him for eight months Judge John Holt said he had been verbally abusive and then physically aggressive towards the driver after he challenged him about getting on the bus without paying.

He said that after being punched by McCourt the bus driver had run off because he feared further violence and had been chased by the defendant.

Mr Sadd told the court that the incident happened in Ipswich town centre at 10.15pm on December 1.

He said that as a result of the attack the bus driver had swelling to the left side of his face, cuts to his hand and pain to his elbow.

Russell Butcher, for McCourt said it was fortunate that no one received more serious injury in the incident.

He said that drink was a theme running through his client's previous convictions and he recognised that this was the source of his problems.