Passengers taken for a ride as drunk gets behind wheel of bus

MINIBUS passengers were “terrified” when their driver got off to help people with luggage and a drunk man jumped behind the wheel and sped off.

There were three passengers on board when intoxicated James Powell leapt into the driver’s seat and quickly accelerated away, swerving along the road and speeding through a red traffic light.

Newport Crown Court heard the defendant “simply laughed” when the frightened passengers begged him to stop.

The court heard the incident occurred at Cwmbran railway station on the morning of January 20.

Prosecutors said the driver got out of the minibus to help people lift their bags on board – and Powell, who was “completely drunk”, took the opportunity to jump into the empty driver’s seat and accelerate away from the station.

There were three passengers on board – Pat Edwards, Mandy Martin and Sonia Thomas.

The court heard Powell drove in the rain at “dangerous speeds”, with the vehicle “lurching from side to side”.

Prosecutors said the passengers, including one woman in her 70s, shouted at the defendant to stop, fearing they would be seriously injured.

The incident lasted for about a minute and a half but Judge Daniel Williams noted it must have felt much longer to the victims.

Powell abandoned the minibus in Pontnewydd and ran off, but was caught by the police.

A breath test revealed he had 63mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath. The legal limit is 35mg.

Powell, 30, from Rhymney Court in Thornhill, Cwmbran, admitted three counts of false imprisonment.

He also pleaded guilty to aggravated vehicle-taking and dangerous driving while under the influence of alcohol without insurance.

Claire Pickthall, defending, said: “He is unable to say anything other than he is truly sorry. He is utterly appalled by how he made those ladies feel.”

The court heard the dad-of-two is addicted to alcohol and is waiting for bereavement counselling following the death of his father.

Ms Pickthall added: “He is as sorry as he possibly could be.”

Judge Williams described the incident as “outrageous”.

He said: “This was a terrifying experience for those people on the minibus.”

Powell was jailed for 10 months and disqualified from driving for two years from the time of his release.

He will have to pass an extended driving test before being allowed behind the wheel.