An African man accused of bashing a bus driver in Brisbane in sickening alleged assault that sparked widespread condemnation has been granted bail.
Echibaketa Byamungu, 21, faced Brisbane Magistrates Court on Monday after being charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm over the alleged attack, which took place at about 6pm in South Bank on Friday.
Byamungu’s lawyer told the court bus driver Chun-hung Chiang, 46, started the physical altercation and his client simply reacted when his phone was damaged from being dropped while he was being pushed off the bus, The Courier Mail reported.
Solicitor Shane McDowell told the court there was an issue with payment his client was asked to get off, but said “the actual first interaction of physical force is from the bus driver”.
Magistrate Ross Mack said Byamungu was facing a prison sentence if convicted, and told him: “Things are getting a bit grim for you here aren’t they. You’re in a bit of strife.”
But despite noting the evidence was strong and the allegations were serious he granted Byamungu bail on the condition he not contact the driver or ride any Brisbane City Council bus.
The driver suffered facial bruising, swelling and tinnitus in his left ear from the alleged assault, 7 News reported.
Shocking video allegedly shows Byamungu repeatedly punching the driver, aged in his 50s, just after 6pm in South Bank on Friday.
Brisbane bus driver is attacked by an African thug as horrified passengers watch on.
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Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner shared the video of the alleged assault on social media where he condemned the violence while praising multiculturalism.
“This kind of behaviour is deeply disturbing and has no place in our city. No one deserves to face violence in their workplace, especially from a single individual whose reckless actions endangered the safety of everyone on board,” he wrote.
“My thoughts are with the bus driver who was subjected to this appalling and completely unacceptable attack while simply doing his job.
“Brisbane is a friendly city, a city where people of all beliefs, cultures and backgrounds live together harmoniously and a city where everyone deserves to feel safe.”
Mr Schrinner said on Monday that once the court proceedings are complete the council intends to ban Byamungu from buses for two years.
The Rail Tram and Bus Union said violence against bus drivers was getting worse in the Queensland capital, with increases in offences involving weapons and spitting, and wants repeat offenders banned from the public transport network.
Header image: Left, Byamungu outside court on Monday (7 News). Right, the bus driver being attacked (Adrian Schrinner).
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