A jobless thug who beat a bus driver unconscious for refusing to let him travel without the correct fare escaped immediate jail on Thurs.

Earl Valton, 30, tried to board a 376 at Upton Park and offered a �5 note for the fare.

But driver Mohammed Kayani did not have change, sending Valton into a furious rant in which he banged his fist on Mr Kayani’s hand, the Old Bailey heard.

Valton continued shouting until a passenger persuaded him to get off.

Less than an hour later he was in the staff canteen at Beckton bus garage where he attacked Mr Kayani from behind, knocking him unconscious with one punch, said Mr Edwards.

The driver was off work for three months and has no memory of the incident.

Valton was in breach of a two year suspended sentence for punching a girlfriend when he attacked the bus driver on February 3 last year.

He also has previous convictions for theft and possession of a bladed article.

Valton, of Fothergill Close, Plaistow, admitted assault by beating and assault causing actual bodily harm.

The court heard Valton suffered from depression which has left him suicidal.

He said he was sorry. “I have been going through a lot of stress over the last few years.”

The Common Serjeant of London, Judge Brian Barker told Valton: “Those who deal with the public are entitled to protection.”

He passed a 12 week sentence suspended for a year on condition Valton attends a structured anger management programme.