A bus driver was injured and subjected to homophobic slurs during a ticket row with a passenger. 

William Hull, 20, lunged at the driver causing hand injuries during a “very aggressive” confrontation.

Another female passenger was among those who tried to intervene to stop the dispute over the taking of a ticket on a service from Dereham to Norwich in August last year. 

Hull, of the Maltings, in Dereham, pleaded guilty to assault and criminal damage at Norwich Magistrates’ Court.

He appeared in custody having been arrested after failing to attend an earlier hearing.

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A statement from the bus driver read in court said he had felt Hull had been trying to goad him into fighting and had a look of “pure hatred”.   

Annette Hall, mitigating, said: “He says he was spoken to aggressively by the driver but that doesn’t in any way excuse his behaviour. He wants to apologise for his actions.”

Magistrates ordered him to pay £100 compensation to the driver. He was also given a 12 month conditional discharge.