A BUS passenger lost his temper and punched his driver in the face after discovering the 371 bus he had boarded was travelling in the wrong direction.

Simon Higgins, of Barnfield Avenue, Kingston, pleaded guilty to the charge of affray when he appeared at Richmond Magistrates Court on Monday.

Gabrielle McAvock, prosecuting, said the 22-year-old boarded a 371 bus at The Quadrant, on February 2nd at 11.45pm.

He paid his fare without stating where he wanted to go and the bus drove along its normal route through Richmond. A short time later Higgins realised the bus was going the wrong way for him, and approached the driver, asking to be let off.

The driver stopped the bus to let him off, but Higgins refused to get off and demanded a refund.

Ms McAvock said he then punched the driver in the lower jaw, and pushed the cab screen into his forehead, causing a cut. In the struggle Higgins grabbed the driver around the neck, and was pulled off and restrained by police officers who had arrived by this time.

Higgins was continuously abusive to police, and during the interview he denied that he had assaulted the bus driver and said that he had been assaulted by the driver.

Higgins, representing himself, told the court: ''I was a bit drunk and pretty angry. It was my last pound, and I had no way of getting home.''

He also said that he had also been injured during the incident, as the driver had thrown the door open, hitting him on the chest, from which he still had a lump.

The case was adjourned until March 11th for sentencing, as the magistrates said that due to the serious nature of the offence they would like to consider reports.