The assailant also bit and spat at police
A shocking video shows the moment a crazed passenger grabs the steering wheel of a bus only to be tackled to the ground by an off-duty police officer.
Earl Haye, 48, was wrestled to the ground after he nearly caused a double-decker to crash as he tried to take control of the vehicle on Derby Road, Nottingham. On Tuesday, at Nottingham Crown Court, Haye was served a 13-month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months.
The court heard how the incident, which happened on November 1 2021, began when Haye verbally assaulted the bus driver. Off duty police officer Sergeant Graham Whitt made himself known to Haye while sitting at the back of the bus.
It’s understood that Sergeant Whitt escorted the man from the bus, at which point Haye jumped on a second bus and grabbed hold of the steering wheel. Haye then ran into heavy traffic, at which point Whitt watched him attempt to break into a woman’s car.
He then jumped onto a Peugeot 107 before punching and smashing its windscreen.
Whitt attempted to subdue the crazed man, suffering a torn ligament in his finger, which was later treated in hospital. Haye later assaulted three more officers, biting and spitting at them. A spit hood was placed over Haye’s head to stop further attacks.
“Something that will stay in my mind for longer than the physical pain is the genuine looks of terror in the faces of members of the public, who by no fault of their own, were involved and forced to watch Haye’s rampage,” recalled Whitt. “I’m just glad I was in a position to intervene and help prevent a very serious incident.
He added: “As it was, I suffered an injury to my finger. That’s a far better outcome.”
Assistant Chief Constable Steve Cooper, of Nottinghamshire police, said after the hearing: “This was an appalling incident that could have been worse had it not been for brave actions of Graham and his colleagues.
“Three police constables swiftly arrived on scene to help detain the man and, regrettably were assaulted.
“We have repeatedly stressed that this is not part of the job and any assault on emergency workers – physical or verbal – will be treated as a crime and dealt with accordingly.
“The safety and welfare of our officers is of great importance and the officers involved in this incident have been given the appropriate support by the force.”
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