A BUS driver was left terrified after a minor collision led an enraged motorist to get out of his car and strike the bus windscreen so hard it cracked, a court heard today (Tuesday, April 21).

Disqualified driver, Robert James Matthews, 26, appeared at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates Court for the offence that took place on Wednesday, January 7.

Joanne Hesse, prosecuting, said the defendant was driving along a one-way road near Meadowfield, Durham City, at about 6pm when his car and the Arriva bus clipped each other.

“The bus driver was following the Durham to Brandon route and pulled out to overtake a cyclist when he became aware of a Seat Ibiza opposite him," she said.

“Matthews pulled his vehicle in front of the bus and got out of the car, appearing very agitated and shouting and swearing at the bus driver.

“He continued to shout at him before approaching the bus and hitting the windscreen, causing it to crack.

“The bus driver said he was too frightened to get out of his vehicle, and that the defendant continued to gesticulate from his window as his girlfriend drove his car away.”

A statement from the bus driver read: “I was scared and frightened and thought Matthews was going to strike his hand through the window and grab me. I felt very intimidated by him.”

Simon Woodhouse, mitigating, said: “It was an unfortunate collision. The only damage from it was a wing mirror cover that was knocked off on the defendant's car.

“The CCTV from the bus clearly shows Mr Matthews stopping after the accident. He slaps the windscreen and remarkably it cracks.

“He accepts that he should not have been driving. He did not intend to damage the windscreen but accepts that his behaviour was reckless. He is trying to sort himself out.”

Matthews, of Arncliffe Place, Newton Aycliffe, pleaded guilty to criminal damage, driving without due care and attention, failing to report an accident, using threatening and abusive words and behaviour causing harassment and distress. He also pleaded guilty to driving without a license and driving without insurance.

He was given a 12 month community order with supervision, ordered to carry out 15 hours of unpaid work and disqualified from driving for six months.

Matthews was also ordered to pay £380 compensation, £100 towards court costs and a victim surcharge of £60.