No tolerance for tirade of abuse on bus

A STAGECOACH bus driver was wrongly accused of “touching children” during a horrific verbal onslaught by an angry passenger in Perth.

Samuel Nobel launched into an outrageous tirade against the innocent employee after being questioned about his conduct on a service at the city’s Broxden Park and Ride.

The 37-year-old shouted that the driver was a “paedophile” and that he should be jailed for “sexual offences against children”.

Nobel, of Kinnaird Street, Dundee, appeared at Perth Sheriff Court and admitted causing fear or alarm through threatening or abusive behaviour on July 11 2022.

Sheriff Paul Brown said the incident was too serious a matter to sentence Nobel without first having background reports prepared on him.

Fiscal depute Stephanie Hendry told Perth Sheriff Court: “The complainer in this case is a Stagecoach bus driver. At about 1.10pm, the accused was on board his bus.

“The driver had cause to challenge the accused about his behaviour.”

The prosecutor added: “The accused became aggressive and was asked to leave the bus.

“He then began shouting directly at the complainer.”

The prosecutor said Nobel ranted at the driver, calling him a “paedophile”.

“He stated that he touched children and said the complainer should be in jail for sexual offences against children.”

The court heard that Nobel repeatedly shouted and swore at the driver during the tirade.

Sheriff Brown interjected at this point to say: “I think I’ve heard enough to convince me that this crosses the threshold for requiring background reports (before sentencing).”

Nobel will be sentenced at the same

court next month. Stagecoach has declared a “zero tolerance” approach to the abuse of its staff, stressing that all those responsible for such behaviour face prosecution.

In the weeks following the incident at Broxden, the company’s East Scotland

group tweeted: “It’s understandable to be angry when things don’t go as planned, but please treat our drivers and supervisors with respect.

“They’re doing their best to keep services running and should not be subjected to abuse or intimidation.”

ZERO: Judge called for reports on Samuel Nobel following his torrent of insults.