A 21-year-old man who bashed a Brisbane bus driver has been handed a six-month suspended sentence, sparing him jail time. Echibaketa Byamungu pleaded guilty to one count of assault occasioning bodily harm against Chun-hung Chiang, 46, in the Brisbane Magistrates Court.
The court heard Byamungu boarded the bus at South Bank station in June, and driver Chiang immediately asked him to get off due to previous interactions. When Byamungu refused, Chiang attempted to physically remove him, prompting Byamungu to strike him repeatedly in the head and face.
Deputy Chief Magistrate Anthony Gett described the attack as 'deplorable and grotesque', noting that bus drivers provide an important public service and are not employed as security guards. He acknowledged Byamungu's difficult upbringing, having been born in a Tanzanian refugee camp, but said his response was 'grossly disproportionate'.
In a surprise development, Byamungu appeared in court via video link from the Richlands watch house after being arrested on unrelated charges. His lawyer, Shane McDowell, said the arrest took him by surprise but did not oppose proceeding with sentencing. Byamungu was also ordered to pay $1,000 in compensation to the victim.
