McAlister pleaded guilty in Raymond Terrace Local Court on Thursday to the bashing which was filmed on a passenger’s mobile phone and can be viewed here:

The driver was lucky to escape with relatively minor injuries after McAlister landed a flurry of blows and  hitting the victim’s head with a bottle.

The driver fell to the ground where McAlister repeatedly punched and stomped on him.

McAlister, 28, of Waratah, said he was drunk, but magistrate John Chicken noted that McAlister was later caught masturbating in front of a woman in the police station cells, which was consistent with being under the influence of methamphetamine.

McAlister and a friend got on the bus at Hexham at about 5.30pm on Wednesday where they proceeded to swear and drink alcohol until the driver had had enough.

He ordered the pair off the bus at Adelaide Street, Raymond Terrace, where the friend walked away, but McAlister remained.

The bus continued to Bettles Park where it stopped and McAlister was ordered off.

When the driver called for help on his radio, McAlister ripped the radio cord out.

He then attacked the victim while a number of passengers screamed and one man, who police want to speak to, intervened.

McAlister then grabbed a female passenger’s purse as he left the bus, but she was able to get it back, a police statement said.

He then walked to Parkway Avenue where he was followed by a motorist who had seen some of the incident.

Minutes later, that motorist received reports of a brawl in Parkway Avenue and reported it to police.

When officers arrived they allegedly found McAlister armed with a carving knife and other people armed with sticks and poles.

McAlister is accused of raising the knife towards an officer who drew his gun and ordered McAlister to put the knife down.

McAlister is accused of eventually putting the knife down before wrestling with the officer as he was handcuffed, the police statement said.

McAlister pleaded not guilty to using a weapon to prevent apprehension, resisting arrest and assaulting police.

He will face a hearing on those charges next year.

When refusing bail, Mr Chicken noted that McAlister had received sentences ranging from fines to suspended jail terms in recent years.

‘‘Since 2009, this is the fifth time that he has been before a court for matters of violence,’’ Mr Chicken said.

‘‘Given his recent history of violence I could not in good conscious grant bail.’’

By MATT CARR

A MAN will face court after allegedly attacking a bus driver in Raymond Terrace.

Two passengers were on the bus travelling from the Hunter Valley to Port Stephens about 5.45pm on Wednesday.

Police allege the driver spoke to the two men regarding their use of offensive language aboard the bus.

At the Adelaide Street bus stop in Raymond Terrace one of the men got off the bus and the other passenger was asked to exit at the next stop due to his behaviour.

He refused to comply with the request and the bus driver, 44, called for assistance on his radio.

It is alleged the passenger destroyed the radio cord, punching the driver numerous times and hitting him on the head with a full bottle of alcohol.

Police further allege the driver fell to the floor as the alleged attack continued.

Other passengers attempted to help the driver before the passenger fled.

A witness followed him to Parkway Avenue and called police.

It is alleged a fight broke out at Parkway Avenue before police arrived.

Officers attempting to arrest the man were allegedly threatened with a knife, prompting them to draw their firearms.

After a short struggle, the bus passenger was arrested and taken to Raymond Terrace police station.

The Waratah man, 28, was charged with malicious damage, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, affray, use weapon to avoid apprehension, assault police and resist arrest.

He was refused bail to appear at Raymond Terrace Local Court on Thursday.

Police are seeking any witnesses to the assault on the bus driver, including the passenger who assisted the driver, or anyone who was involved in the fight on Parkway Avenue to contact Raymond Terrace Detectives.

Police are urging anyone with information in relation to this incident to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.