Deepak Malhotra’s lawyer argued that his client had been on suicide watch as he was devastated by a failed marriage and family problems.
LONDON – An Indian-origin man has been jailed for 21 months by a British court for illegally taking a double-decker bus on a drunken joyride here, causing thousands of pounds worth of damage by dangerously driving around the streets.
Deepak Malhotra, 35, who had admitted aggravated vehicle taking, driving whilst disqualified and drink driving at an earlier hearing, was sentenced at Harrow Crown Court here on Wednesday.
He stole the bus on the night of July 7 while it was parked at Watford Bus Station in Hertfordshire near here and drove it around, mounting kerbs, hit railings, jumping a red light and causing motorists to brake sharply.
Investigating officer Police Constable Mark Logan said, “Malhotra caused thousands of pounds worth of damage as he dangerously drove around the streets of Watford and it is only pure luck that no-one was injured during his reckless joyride”.
“He was both under the influence of alcohol and banned from driving at the time of the offence,” Logan said.
Malhotra’s lawyer argued that his client had expressed genuine remorse and had been on suicide watch as he was devastated by a marriage breakdown and family problems.
He had 14 previous convictions for 30 offences including drink driving and was banned from driving at the time of the incident.
The court was told that Malhotra got onto the bus by forcing open the doors at the bus garage while the driver had gone for a toilet break, having left the key in the ignition.
