A FATHER has escaped a custodial sentence for punching a bus driver after an incident in which his partner fell from a bus and landed on the pram containing their eight-month-old child.

Blackburn magistrates heard that John Mark Clark lost his temper and punched the bus driver because of his lack of concern for the welfare of mother or child.

The incident happened when the platform was allegedly lowered as the woman was pushing her pram off the bus. But defence solicitor Stephen Parker said Clark had initially approached the driver to take his number but had become incensed by his lack of compassion or co-operation.

Clark, 31, of Cavendish Street, Darwen, pleaded guilty to assaulting John Werry. He was ordered to do 100 hours community punishment and pay £400 compensation to the driver and £50 costs.

The chairman said any assault on a public servant was extremely serious and could attract a custodial sentence, even in the absence of a previous record.

"However, we accept that your action was impulsive rather than pre-meditated and we are able to step back from an immediate custodial sentence," he added.

Lisa Worsley, prosecuting, said the bus had travelled from Darwen to Blackburn Boulevard where a number of people got off.

A young woman with a pram was one of the passengers leaving the bus and she did so without asking for the floor to be lowered.

"The driver saw her fall out of the bus head first and somersault over the push chair."

She said the woman was shouting "It's not the driver's fault, leave him alone."

Mr Parker said Clark was a man of previous good character who accepted the serious situation he had put himself in by landing a single punch on a public servant.

Mr Parker said Clark threw a single punch which, according to the doctor's report, had resulted in nothing more than a swollen lip.