Passengers who spat at bus driver given 'positive thinking' workbook

Updated
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siblings-spit-bus-driver-wales


A brother and sister who spat on a bus driver in Wales have been ordered by a court to attend "victim empathy" sessions and fill in a "positive thinking" workbook.

Jason Fallas, 20, and his sister Chelsea Fallas, 21, a mother-of-two, both spat in a female bus driver's face after becoming agitated with the service.

The driver, Ingrid Cumberbatch had been driving her Arriva public bus on 25 January from Rhyl when the Fallas siblings boarded at Penrhyn Bay near Llandudno.

Prosecutor James Neary said the pair became enraged after the bus stopped at a station for a while in order to keep to its timetable, reports the Metro.

Jason swore and shouted at Mrs Cumberbatch and then spat on her cheek after she ordered him off the bus.

His sister Chelsea then spat in her face after seeing the driver dial 999.

Jason also then got back on the bus and spat at her for a second time.

Mrs Cumberbatch said she was left feeling "incredibly dirty" after police asked her not to remove the spittle until they'd taken a swab. She also had to spend four hours in A&E checking for infection.

Magistrates at Llandudno handed Jason a four month suspended jail term and 100 hours unpaid work. He was also told to pay £200 compensation and £165 costs, as well as attending "victim empathy" sessions.

Chelsea received a 12-month community order with 300 hours' unpaid work and a "positive thinking" workbook. She must also pay £150 compensation and £145 costs, reports the North Wales Pioneer.

The pair both admitted common assault and threatening behaviour.

Court chairman John Mortimer told the siblings: "This isn't the sort of behaviour we expect in a civilised society."

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