A disgruntled bus passenger who squirted orange juice into the driver's cab - covering the driver in the fruity drink - has been ordered to pay him £500 compensation.
Paris Mason, 29, had been ordered off the First Bus service in Carron Road, Falkirk, for noisy behaviour.
Prosecutor Rebecca Reid told Falkirk Sheriff Court that Mason had got on the bus about 6.50pm with "an unidentified male", and a child.
Miss Reid said: "During the journey, Mason and the male sat at the back of the bus playing loud music and using foul language.
"When the bus was requested to stop, the driver took the opportunity to ask them to turn the music down."
Mason responded by shouting at the driver, Evangelos Sioulis, "smacking" her hand against the driving cab screen, and reaching through the payment window and trying to open the cab door.
Miss Reid, the depute fiscal, said: "She then continued to shout at the driver, before opening a large bottle of orange juice - or orange drink - and squeezing it over him through the driver's screen, covering him in said liquid."
Police were called but Mason had left before officers arrived and the bus, the driver, and other passengers continued on their journey.
Mason was traced and charged later.
Mason, on benefits, of Tamfourhill, Falkirk, appeared for sentence on Thursday May 28th after pleading guilty to statutory breach of the peace.
The incident occurred on April 30th last year (2020).
Solicitor Lynn Swan, defending, said at some point during the incident the foot of the child who was with Mason had got stuck in the bus door.
Mrs Swan said: "Miss Mason realises her behaviour was not acceptable and she could have dealt with it in a better fashion."
Sheriff Derek Livingston said: "That's a euphemistic way of putting it - 'she could have dealt with it in a better fashion'.
"Quite apart from the initial shock, bus drivers are entitled to go about their business without being subjected to this kind of quite appalling behaviour.
"This was a thoroughly unpleasant incident."
Ordering Mason to pay Mr Sioulis the £500 compensation, Sheriff Livingston said that because she had no analogous previous convictions he was "prepared to let this matter go in what might otherwise be seen to be a fairly lenient way".
