A BUS passenger who missed his stop responded by brandishing a 2ft sword at the female driver.

Kevin Sowerby, 48, was on an Arriva bus that pulled away from his stop before he had chance to get off.

Sowerby got off at the next stop - only a few hundred yards away - went to his house nearby, and grabbed a Spanish ornamental sword.

He waited at another stop for the bus to return, got on, and thrust the sword - which he had been holding by his side - at the driver.

Darlington Magistrates' Court was yesterday shown footage of the incident, captured on closed-circuit television inside the driver's cab. Sowerby is shown jabbing the sword with his left hand, while pointing with his right.

David Madison, prosecuting, said the driver responded by throwing a "bottle of pop" at Sowerby. He threw it back, before the driver closed the doors and phoned police.

After being arrested, Sowerby told police: "The bus driver upset me. I had had a couple of drinks.

"I had been kept on the bus against my wishes and I was annoyed."

The sword was later found by police after Sowerby threw it away. It will be destroyed.

The attack happened on the Skerne Park estate, Darlington, just before 3pm on Wednesday, August 29.

Speaking after the attack, the driver said: "I feel sick. My legs are still shaking. I am not in the best form.

"When I shut the doors and he walked off, a lady passenger said she was shocked and felt sick.

"I asked her how she was and she said 'Never mind me, how are you?'"

She was given one day off by Arriva, and worked with a colleague for a week to build up confidence.

Claire Brinton, mitigating, said: "I can tell you that he is extremely remorseful, ashamed, and disgusted by his actions."

Ms Brinton said Sowerby, of Ribble Drive, Darlington, was disabled, and had turned to drink after a bereavement.

He pleaded guilty to possessing a sword without lawful excuse, and threatening behaviour.

Magistrates decided their sentencing powers, which are limited to six months' imprisonment, were not sufficient.

Sowerby will be sentenced at Teesside Crown Court, at a date to be set.