Edward Charles Abbott: Man who left bus driver with injuries to teeth and groin given nine-month jail sentence

A man who assaulted a 66-year old bus driver, leaving him with injuries to his teeth and groin, has been given a nine-month prison sentence. Edward Charles Abbott, 36, appeared in Geraldton Magistrate’s Court on Monday, having previously pleaded guilty to assaulting a public officer, as well as possessing drug paraphernalia. On January 10 Abbott attacked the driver at the Geraldton TransWA bus station on Chapman Road, punching him multiple times in the face, and then continuing to hit on the jaw and groin after he fell to the ground. Abbott’s assault was only stopped when a passenger intervened, blocking him from his victim. Police prosecutor Sergeant Ross Gray said the driver suffered bruising and swelling across his face, damage to his teeth which will lead to two of his teeth dying, and groin injuries which are not fully known at this point. Abbott had got on to the driver’s bus after his attempt to pay for a ticket was declined. His lawyer, Kate Summers, said Abbott was trying to ask his aunt to help him pay, when the bus driver told him to get off. Sgt Gray said Abbott had a history of violent offences, and imprisonment was the only suitable option. “It could have been a whole lot worse,” Sgt Gray said. Ms Summers said Abbott was in a highly distressed and emotional state on the day of the attack as a family member had recently died, and he planned to travel by bus to attend the funeral. She claimed the driver had pushed Abbott first, and he felt he was being disrespected and racially discriminated against by the driver. Ms Summers also said Abbott had recently had heart surgery and felt vulnerable when pushed in the chest. She added Abbott had a difficult childhood with absent parents, and was effectively homeless currently. Ms Summers said her client was remorseful for the attack, and recognised he needed drug, alcohol and psychological counselling. Magistrate Angus Hockton said he was convinced an immediate term of imprisonment was the only suitable measure given the seriousness of the offence. He acknowledged Abbott may have been emotionally vulnerable but said his response was far more than just an attempt to fend off the driver. Mr Hockton also acknowledged Abbott’s early guilty plea, and gave him a nine-month jail term.