Hold Tight! Rampage of Bus Nut

By GEOFFREY LAKEMAN

A DRUNK bus enthusiast climbed into a vehicle with passengers on board and tried to drive it away, a court was told yesterday.

Gary Millgate was even wearing an old Stagecoach driver’s uniform at the time.

The jobless 56-year-old – who doesn’t have a licence – went 10ft before hitting a bollard and causing pounds 400 damage at Exeter bus station.

The real driver came out of a canteen to find him at the controls and three bewildered passengers on board. Peter Seigne, defending, said: “It’s a strange case. He expressed an interest in buses to drivers who gave him bits and bobs of old clothing.”

Exeter magistrates told Millgate, from Teingnouth, Devon: “It could have had potentially disastrous consequences.”

Millgate admitted taking and damaging the bus and drink-driving. He was banned for two years and told to do 150 hours unpaid work.

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