A 21-year-old man who admitted to violently assaulting a bus driver has been sentenced, but his legal troubles have escalated after his arrest on new charges just days before his court appearance.
Echibaketa Byamungu, who pleaded guilty to assault occasioning bodily harm over an attack on a Brisbane Council bus driver in South Bank on June 18, was sentenced on Thursday to six months in jail, wholly suspended.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: A driver has been repeatedly punched in a sickening assault onboard a Brisbane bus
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He was also ordered to pay the victim $1000 in compensation.
The assault occurred when Byamungu boarded the 130 bus at South Bank Station and was asked to leave after failing to pay his fare.
After a brief confrontation, he repeatedly punched the driver in the head, neck, and shoulders, leaving him with visible injuries.
An alleged attack on a Brisbane bus driver has been caught on camera. Credit: 7NEWS Photo supplied to 7NEWS shows swelling and redness on the bus driver’s cheek and behind his ear following the alleged assault. Credit: Supplied The victim, a 46-year-old man, later spoke about the pain he endured, revealing swelling on his ear and head.
“I still feel pain behind my ear and back of my head. I also have some tinnitus,” he told 7NEWS.
The Rail, Tram, and Bus Union (RTBU) has strongly condemned the attack, calling for tougher penalties for repeat offenders and highlighting the growing issue of violence against public transport workers.
Union officials have called for public transport bans for those with a history of violent behaviour, as incidents involving assaults and weapons continue to rise.
Echibaketa Byamungu is accused of punching a 46-year-old man multiple times on a city council bus at South Bank station on a Friday night in June. Credit: 7NEWS Byamungu was due to appear in court on Thursday for the bus assault, but had to do so via video link from a watchhouse after being arrested again.
The young man was charged with armed robbery, unlawful possession of a weapon, and assault whilst armed in connection with a separate incident on Wednesday.