A 29-year-old man has been jailed for four months for taking a bus and trying to drive it home in the snow.
Scott Dowdall of Pennine Close, Huthwaite, took a Stagecoach bus from the Sutton Road, depot after a night out on March 22.
However, after abandoning it in Mill Lane police were able to track him down by following his footprints in the snow.
On Wednesday, April 3, at Mansfield Magistrates' Court, Dowdall pleaded guilty to taking a vehicle without consent, failing to provide a sample and driving while disqualified.
The court heard that he had been out with friends on Thursday, March 21, and in the early hours of the following day he had walked into the Stagecoach depot, which had just opened, and took a bus and attempted to drive the vehicle home.
Police were alerted to the incident when a member of the public reported the abandoned bus.
The vehicle was left blocking the road and the cab smelled of alcohol.
PC Emma Ashton said: "Taking the bus home took on a whole new meaning for this individual.
"Instead of walking or getting a taxi home after his night out he put his own life, and that of others on the road in danger.
"It had been snowing heavily that evening and, on attending the scene, officers noticed there were footprints leading from the bus to an address in New Hucknall Waye.
"In a great piece of old-fashioned detective work they followed them, found Dowdall there and were able to make an arrest.
"Although no one was injured this incident could have had a very different outcome."
Stagecoach will be releasing a statement shortly.
