POLICE have released a photo of a man who they need to trace after someone defecated on a bus seat.

The bald, bespectacled man was caught on CCTV on a bus in Newcastle city centre and it is thought the incident happened on Thursday August 21 at around 8.15pm.

The man was sitting upstairs on the bus when it was passing through Grainger Street.

Northumbria Police asked anyone who recognises the man to call 101 ex69191 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

The Northern Echo:

MYSTERY MAN: police handout after someone defecated on a bus.

Meanwhile, a man has been fined after defecating at a council building.

Garry Coleman, 55, of no fixed address, was caught on CCTV on Monday, May 12, at the entrance to the Selby District Council offices in Market Cross, Selby. The mess, covered with toilet tissue, was found by a council employee later that morning, when she arrived to open the council offices.

An investigation was launched by the council, who initially said they suspected the suspect "holds a grudge" against the authority, and had "deliberately targeted the area".

Following the release of CCTV images to The Press, enquiries led to Coleman, and he was interviewed under caution in June. He admitted the offence, but denied the act was a dirty protest. He told the council he had been unwell and was sorry.

At York Magistrates Court, Coleman was fined £37, ordered to pay £140 council costs, and a £20 victim surcharge.

Tim Grogan, the council's senior enforcement officer, said: "Considering the council had very little evidence to go on it is a feather in our cap to get a conviction." He said staff had been "unnerved and repulsed" by what happened.

A poo may be the smelliest item left on a bus but it probably isn't the strangest.

Among the 'lost property' discovered on public transport throughout the country so far this year was a coffin, two urns of ashes, a human skull, breast implants and a park bench.

Other odd items included:

  • a chef’s uniform.
  • false teeth.
  • a couple of guitars.
  • a groin protector.
  • a 14ft boat.
  • a home telephone.
  • a hobby horse.
  • a shopping trolley.
  • two television remotes.

Dozy travellers also lost 378 wallets and purses, many containing cash, including one stuffed with £910, half-a-dozen passports and three wedding rings.

None of them were ever reclaimed but one hungry commuter did return for a bag of Greggs ice fingers.