Thug escapes jail sentence for bus attack
ATHUG who attacked a chef on a busy bus before leaving his phone at the scene avoided jail. Mark Higgins punched Ali Bellamine eight times during the journey in Glasgow city centre in November 2017.
The 33- year- old had earlier been warned not to touch stranger Mr Bellamine, 40, before lunging on top of him.
Higgins pleaded guilty at Glasgow Sheriff Court to the assault to Mr Bellamine’s injury.
Higgins, of Glasgow, was ordered yesterday to do 150 hours of unpaid work by Sheriff Martin Jones QC.
He was also put under supervision for 18 months and put on a restriction of liberty order for six months keeping him indoors between 7pm and 7am.
Sheriff Jones said: “You were completely under the influence of alcohol and attacking someone on a bus is something that can attract custody.
“It was shocking – you need to get a grip of your drinking before something more serious happens.”
The court saw CCTV footage of Mr Bellamine, who was wearing headphones, sitting near Higgins minding his own business.
Higgins touched Mr Bellamine on the back of the head and was warned to stop.
Higgins touched him for a second time and Mr Bellamine responded: “Don’t f*** ing touch me.”
Prosecutor Mark Allan told the court Higgins got up and punched Mr Bellamine on the face eight times causing his glasses to fall off.
He added: “The accused dragged him from his seat down the aisle of the bus as other passengers watched.
“He made attempts to protect his face but fell to the ground as Higgins continued to punch.”
Mr Bellamine took a seat at the front of the bus before being punched once more by Higgins who fled the scene.
The victim was taken to hospital for treatment to a wound on the bridge of his nose which was closed with steri strips.
Police officers attended the bus and recovered a pair of specs and a mobile that was registered in Higgins’ name.
Officers later attended his home and arrested him.
Bob Mitchell, defending, told the court Higgins has PTSD after being the victim of an serious assault when he was 21.
You need to get a grip of your drinking