Man hunted by police after punching female bus driver in Pendle (From Lancashire Telegraph)
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Man hunted by police after punching female bus driver in Pendle
3:00pm Saturday 29th September 2012 in News
The CCTV image of the suspect
A MAN who punched a female bus driver is being hunted by police in Pendle.
It is believed the man started a row after being told he could not bringing hot food onto the bus.
The incident happened at around 3.40pm on September 9, on the number 28 Lancashire Bus Mainline service from Colne to Earby.
The man got on the bus in Colne with hot food and was told that it was not permitted.
He then threw the food in a bin before approaching the female driver and punching her on the arm.
When he got off the bus in the Earby area he threatened the driver, telling her that she has lost him his tea and that he would remember her.
He then added that she should ‘watch this space’.
The driver was not seriously injured but was left distressed following the assault.
PC Martin Vernon from Colne police condemned the attack.
He said: “Fortunately the bus driver was not seriously injured but nobody should have to experience that kind of behaviour while simply doing their job.
“The person responsible needs to be caught and dealt with.”
A spokesperson for Transdev, who operate the route, said: “We treat matters like this very seriously. Our drivers have the right to carry out their duties without fear of injury or abuse, and we encourage any one that witnessed this incident to contact the Police.”
Anyone with information is asked to call Colne police on 101.
Earlier this year, a 38-year-old man from Haslingden was jailed for assaulting a bus driver at Accrington bus station.
Nicholas Warren was sent to prison for 12 weeks for his violent drunken attack on driver Andrew Bowman in February.
