'Stupid' man rammed coach into ex's home

A "stupid and childish" man caused £46,000 worth of damage when he stole a coach and rammed it into his ex-partner's bedroom wall, a court has heard.

Ian Anderson, 33, took the 18-tonne single-decker from his workplace, Liberty Coaches, and drove it into a ground floor flat in Ashington in January 2025, Newcastle Crown Court heard.

He then threw shards of glass at his victim, who had been lying on his bed at the time, before fleeing the scene, the court heard.

Anderson, of Reginald Street in Boldon, was jailed for a year, suspended for two years, after admitting aggravated vehicle taking, dangerous driving and criminal damage.

Anderson and the man had been in relationship for about seven years when they split up in December 2024, prosecutor Lucy Todd said.

On 21 January 2025, Anderson, who worked as a yardman at the coach company in Cramlington, took one of the buses, ripped out the dashcam and drove off, the court heard.

Later that day, Anderson's ex-partner was lying on his bed in his ground-floor flat on Manley View when he heard a vehicle outside "tooting", Todd said.

He checked his CCTV cameras and saw the coach driving in the street, the court heard.

Anderson then drove the coach "at speed" straight into the building, smashing the bedroom wall and windows, the court heard.

He then got off the coach and hurled broken glass at the man before fleeing on foot, the court heard.

Later that day he phoned his boss to say he was "really sorry" for what he had done, Todd said.

Anderson caused about £24,000 of damage to the building and £22,000 to the coach, the court heard.

He told police he grew angry after learning his ex-partner had sent holiday brochures to a mutual friend and asked other associates for favours, the court heard.

In mitigation, the court heard Anderson had not intended to harm anyone but wanted to "embarrass" his ex-partner.

Recorder Toby Hedworth KC said it was a "ludicrously irresponsible, stupid and childish thing to do" and "potentially very dangerous".

But given Anderson's previous good character and mental health difficulties he had experienced, the judge said his prison term could be suspended.

Anderson will have to comply with a six-month mental health requirement treatment and work with the probation service.

He must also pay £2,000 compensation, £1,000 each to the coach company and the housing company which owned the flat, to be paid off at £20 per month.

Anderson was also made subject of a restraining order banning him from contacting his ex-partner or entering a large part of Ashington for two years.

He was banned from driving for two years and must pass an extended test.

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