A 29-YEAR-OLD man has been jailed for taking a bus and trying to drive home in the snow after a night out.
Scott Dowdall took the Stagecoach bus from Sutton Road depot, Huthwaite, on Friday, March 22.
He abandoned the vehicle in Mill Lane and police tracked him down by following his footprints in the snow.
Dowdall, of Pennine Close, Huthwaite, pleaded guilty to taking a vehicle without consent, failing to provide a sample and driving while disqualified.
Mansfield magistrates jailed him for four months. They heard that he had been out with friends and in the early hours had walked into the depot, which had just opened.
Police were alerted when a member of the public reported the abandoned bus in Mill Lane.
The vehicle was 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 officers noticed there were footprints leading from the bus to an address in New Hucknall Way.
"They followed them, found Dowdall and made an arrest. Although no one was injured, this incident could have had a very different outcome."
CCTV footage showed Dowdall taking the bus.
Michael Parker, of the Crown Prosecution Service, said: "Stealing a bus and driving it in public without adequate training is an extremely reckless thing to do.
"This could have had tragic repercussions. It is indeed fortunate that no-one was seriously injured or even killed during this escapade.
"The serious view taken of this offending is reflected in the custodial sentence."
Stagecoach said: "We would like to thank the police for tracking down the person responsible for this theft and we are pleased that justice has been done."
