Exclusive:Man with machete on bus in Sheffield left passengers "very fearful"
He has been ordered to complete 100 hours of unpaid work
A man who made passengers on a bus “very fearful” by pulling out a machete while sat on a bus has avoided prison.
Abdi Hassan, of Shirland Court, Darnall, appeared at Sheffield Crown Court on Thursday (May 7) almost four years after the incident that saw him taken into police custody.
The court was told that in July 2022, 38-year-old Hassan boarded the number 52 bus, with passengers on board recognising that he was drunk.
He sat down having failed to pay, it was explained in court, and went back to buy his ticket before returning to his seat.
When sat back down, he pulled what was described as a “large machete” out of his bag.
“Obviously, people on the bus became very fearful of what you were doing,” Judge Peter Hampton said during the sentencing hearing.
Police arrived and Hassan was arrested, however during interview provided ‘no comment’, the court was told.
It was explained that Hassan did not intend to cause harm and had brought the machete from work.
Judge Hampton consulted with probation workers about potential alcohol rehabilitation orders, however was told that because Hassan did not admit to having any problem with drink, the probation service is unable to provide support.
The judge described the decision as “quite bonkers”.
Hassan was jailed for 46 weeks, suspended for 18 months.
He will also be required to complete 15 rehabilitation activity requirement days and 100 hours of unpaid work.
Judge Peter Hampton said: “I promise you, if you break the order and come back I will activate that custodial sentence.
“Do you understand?”