Inebriated man gets 250 hours community service for Sunday evening assault on bus ride he could not remember
A drunk man who attacked a fellow passenger on a Northern Beaches bus, leaving him with painful long-term injuries, has been sentenced to 250 hours of community service.
An innocent commuter was thrown to the ground as his head was pounded to the floor by a man so intoxicated he could not even remember his actions.
Security cameras on board the L90 at Dee Why captured the brutal attack as Derek Botta was dragged across the aisle before being knocked unconscious.
"I was totally trapped, I couldn't defend my self at all," Mr Botta told 7 News.
Terrified passengers stepped in to help before alerting the bus driver.
The driver pulled over and tried to intervene, only to get caught up in the melee.
Mr Botta was taken to hospital with severe injuries and almost did not survive.
The man responsible, Adam White, was charged over the drunken incident and pleaded guilty to assault.
After reviewing the security video, Magistrate Susan McIntyre told White: "You are an adult... your behaviour was simply outrageous."
"That anyone should be subjected to such behaviour at 6.30 on a Sunday night is almost beyond me."
The magistrate said White's victim has to relive the assault every single day, telling him he deserved to go to prison.
Instead, White was given 250 hours community service, with Mr Botta and his wife in court to watch the man walk.
"There is nothing stopping him going out and drinking and doing it again," said Mr Botta, who has been forced to cut back on work hours.
He is still awaiting more surgery on his wrist one year later, and continues to fight the memories of that horrific day.
