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Watch: Drunk takes bus on 30-mile trail of carnage, hitting 50 cars and causing £250,000 damage
A DRUNK in a stolen bus smashed into more than 50 vehicles during a 30-mile rampage through West Yorkshire while on bail for previous serious offences.
Shane Oldroyd took the single-decker bus because he wanted to get home after a Sunday afternoon drinking session but didn't have any money left.
After leaving a 250,000 trail of destruction across West Yorkshire, he told police: "So what, I took the bus for a nice little ride."
The 27-year-old destroyed road signs, injured two people and smashed into a photo shop in Wakefield city centre, causing 3,000 worth of damage, Leeds Crown Court heard.
He was branded dangerous by a judge and given an indeterminate jail sentence for public protection, with a minimum term set at three-and-a-half years.
Oldroyd, of Ossett, Wakefield, also pleaded guilty to driving otherwise than in accordance with his licence, driving a vehicle without insurance, driving over the alcohol limit and failing to stop after an accident.
He also admitted unrelated charges of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, affray and possession of a knife.
Judge Kerry Macgill noted that Oldroyd was on bail for the knife incident in May, in which a man suffered a slash wound, and had a long list of previous convictions.
"Despite your record and the seriousness of this matter, you were released on bail," he said.
After the case, West Yorshire Police Federation chairman Michael Downes said: "Prolific or violent offenders are constantly given bail, often on the back of woolly mitigationg by their solicitors."
The court heard how Oldroyd sometimes drank 12 cans of Special Brew lager a day. His barrister Robin Frieze said he acted impulsively when he took the bus.
Sarah Smith, of Wakefield, also admitted aggravated vehicle taking and will be sentenced at a later date.
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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