Yard worker drove 18-tonne coach through ex's bedroom window

Ian Anderson took the keys to a single decker vehicle belonging to Liberty Coaches in Cramlington, Northumberland, where he was employed a yardman, and rammed it into his former boyfriend's flat.

Newcastle Crown Court heard the victim was lying in bed at his property in nearby Ashington, when Anderson, who he split from a month earlier, smashed the stolen coach into the window in January last year.

The court heard damage was caused to the victim's social housing flat, the apartment above and to the coach, totaling around £45,834

Recorder Toby Hedworth KC said: "It was a ludicrous thing to have done and potentially very dangerous.

"You can make a scene with your ex partner, you can try and embarrass them if that's what you what to do but you don't do it with someone else's property or with someone else's home provided by social housing.

"This was a ludicrous, irresponsible and childish thing to do. You weren't doing it with toys, you were doing it with very expensive property, the coach and the flat."

Recorder Hedworth said Anderson had found it difficult to "give up on" the former relationship and was unable to accept his ex having other people in his life.

Former coach driver Anderson, 33, of Reginald Street, Boldon, South Tyneside, admitted aggravated vehicle taking, dangerous driving and criminal damage.

He was sentenced to 12 months suspended for two years with rehabilitation requirements, mental health treatment requirement, a restraining order, two year driving ban and £2,000 costs order.

Prosecutor Lucy Todd said when it was realised the coach had been taken from the yard it was located on a tracking app, heading for Ashington, but Anderson had removed the dash cam system.

Miss Todd said: "The defendant's ex partner was at his home address. He had been in his bed at the front of the property, the property is a ground floor flat.

"While lying in bed he heard a loud vehicle outside, checked his CCTV and saw a big white coach with Liberty Coaches on the side, which he recognised to be the defendant's employer's business.

"The defendant drove off towards the left of the flats then turned around before proceeding to drive towards his address at speed.

"The coach collided with the wall of his bedroom, windows immediately smashed and a radiator flew off the wall."

The court heard Anderson got out of the coach and started throwing glass and shouting "get outside" but the victim stayed in his home.

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Miss Todd said the damage to the flats was £23,834 and the damage to the coach around £22,000.

Anderson has no previous convictions.

Glenn Reardon, defending, said: "It is quite incredible he has gone for 31 years of law abiding life to carrying out an offence of this enormity."

Mr Reardon said Anderson has menteal health difficulties and is undergoing testing for neurological issues.

He added: "He has not worked while proceedings are ongoing but does have motivation and aspirations to get back into employment."

Mr Reardon said there have been no further issues.