Bus driver in viral video fined $80, 000 for traffic offences
The bus driver who was seen in a widely circulated video assaulting a female passenger who had asked him to lower his music, was this morning slapped with several charges. 28-year-old Josh Harry of Back Road, Soesdyke, East Bank Demerara appeared before Senior Magistrate Clive Nurse at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.
Harry was slapped with five charges, namely breach of condition of road service license, making loud and continuous noise, conduct of driver, failing to carry a conductor, and conduct of driver. He pleaded guilty to all the offences which were committed on April 12, 2021, at Houston Public Road Greater, Georgetown. He was fined a total of $80,000 or in default five weeks’ imprisonment.
Facts presented by Police Prosecutor Sanj Jaisingh stated that on the day in question, Harry was the driver of route 42 minibus BYY 8024, which was proceeding north along Houston Public Road, when a passenger of the bus, Odila Peroune, 47, of Pearl, East Bank Demerara complained to him about loud, and continuous music which was becoming a nuisance.
The court heard the driver stopped the bus in a rash manner, approached the passenger, and snatched her cell phone out of her hand. In the process of doing so, he hit her on her mouth, causing his conduct as a driver of public transportation, to be inappropriate. The matter was then reported and an investigation was carried out.
A licensing and certifying officer searched the bus and discovered the following: two six-inch Faital Pro Speakers, two eight-inch Faital Pro Speakers, a 1000 watt power amplifier, and an Audiopipe, all instruments of music that were not authorized by the prescribed authority.
The Prosecutor asked the Magistrate to impose maximum fines to send a clear message to other minibus operators. Harry has since paid his fine. He is expected to be charged with assaulting the minibus passenger later today.
