A man attacked a passenger on a moving bus causing others to flee the vehicle when it stopped.

Thomas McAuley, 38, of Townhead, was sentenced at Glasgow Sheriff Court recently after pleading guilty to assaulting James Strain.

The charge sheet goes on to state that the incident took place near 13 Dumbarton Road in the West End.

The court heard that McAuley and an unknown man got on a number two First Bus service travelling from Baillieston to Faifley at around 7.30am on October 29, 2022.

McAuley sat in the first row of the bus whilst the other man sat next to Mr Strain.

The pair spoke before the man began to attack Mr Strain by punching him to the head.

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McAuley then threw punches at Mr Strain. The confrontation continued and the assault subsided before the unknown man and McAuley punched Mr Strain a further two to three times.

Mr Strain appeared to stumble back and pushed McAuley off of him in self-defence.

The bus was then brought to a stop and other passengers got off to escape the disturbance.

McAuley continued to speak to Mr Strain. At this time there was no one else on the bus which was stationary.

Police were contacted and Mr Strain, who was uninjured, confirmed he had been punched in the face numerous times.

McAuley’s lawyer told the court that his client had been “trying to make peace and became involved”.

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The defence solicitor said: “This was a time where he was very much living under the influence of drink and drugs.

“He seems to have realised the difficulty this has created for him. He has no recollection of the assault.

“He was trying to make peace and became involved. He now stays with his long-term partner in Kilwinning, Ayrshire.

“He’s not associating with the people from before.”

Sheriff Anna Reid placed McAuley on a community payback order with social work supervision for 12 months and a conduct requirement to engage with addiction services.

McAuley was also tagged for nine weeks keeping him indoors from 7pm to 7am.