Stephen, who was drunk, arrived at the pool bus station in Dorset and saw a double decker bus in blue and red. He opened the door of the vehicle parked at the bus station and went to the upper deck, where he fell asleep in a seat.
An hour later, Stephen awoke from his sleep. He went down the stairs to the driver’s seat and somehow started the bus. The bus collided with the railing and another car as it was reversing to exit the parking area. He then grabbed the steering wheel and drove the bus three miles to his home in the village of Hamworth.
Stephen McCarton, a former Royal Engineer, says he has no recollection of what happened that night and how he got home.
The incident took place on the morning of December 27 last year. Prosecutor Shami Duggal told the court that the crime committed by Stephen McCarton had been leaked to CCTV. Duggal said Stephen left the bus after the trip and left the engine on. They told the court that the bus crashed into the railing and damaged another car that was parked. The damage to the bus and railings was estimated at $ 4,646. The insurance claim value of the damaged Fiat car is $ 1,640 (approximately $ 1.5 million).
Meanwhile, Eva Russell, who appeared in court on his behalf, said Stephen had taken the Xanax sleeping pill. Although Stephen has no recollection of what happened that night, he has admitted that he saw himself in the CCTV footage.
The lawyer told the court that Stephen McCarton had taken the pill to relieve his anxiety and depression. A probation officer said Stephen may have suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Stephen has confessed that he drove the bus illegally. The court said he was deeply remorseful and upset over the incident. Stephen has been given six months to prove that he can comply with the law. Failure to do so will result in imprisonment for the offense.
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