A bus passenger spat at the driver when he was asked to ring the bell to get off his bus.

Paul Campbell lost his temper after driver Wayne Bullock was reluctant to open the doors of his 372 service to Lindley.

And when Mr Bullock confronted him about his behaviour, the 46-year-old attacked him again by slapping him.

Kirklees magistrates ordered Campbell to pay compensation to the driver.

Campbell, of Huddersfield Road in Elland, pleaded guilty to assault.

The court heard that at 9am on October 2 Mr Bullock was driving the service from Lindley into Huddersfield town centre.

Campbell got on the bus at Trinity Street and said that he was going to the bus station.

He then tried to get off the bus between stops, prosecutor Ben Crosland said.

He said: “The driver asked him to ring the bell next time. The defendant started shouting at Mr Bullock, approached his cab and spat at him through the window.

“A large amount of spittle landed fell onto his shirt.”

At that point Campbell left the bus and Mr Bullock followed him. Mr Crosland said: “He decided to get out and confront the defendant.

“The defendant returned and slapped him to his face and left the scene on foot.”

Mr Bullock reported the incident to police. The court heard that he attended at hospital where he received a hepatitis injection.

Mike Sisson-Pell, mitigating, said that earlier that day his client had been to hospital. He was due to have surgery but couldn’t face having his blood taken and so had left.

Mr Sisson-Pell said: “He left the hospital very upset, got the bus to go home and suddenly realised he had to go back to hospital because he needed the surgery.

“So he went to alight from the bus and the driver was reluctant to open the doors."

Magistrates have Campbell a 12-week curfew as punishment.

He must also pay £100 compensation to Mr Bullock as well as £85 costs and £60 victim surcharge.