A London bus driver was terminated from his position after he pursued and physically confronted a man who had stolen a necklace from a passenger. Mark Hehir, who had been employed by Metroline for approximately two years, was operating the 206 bus route between Wembley and Maida Vale on June 25, 2024, when the incident occurred.
According to tribunal proceedings, a male passenger boarded the bus, forcefully pushed past a female rider, and snatched a necklace from her neck before fleeing. Mr. Hehir immediately chased the thief down the street and successfully returned the necklace to the victim. The assailant then approached the bus again and threw the first punch at Mr. Hehir, who retaliated by striking the man once, rendering him unconscious.
Details of the Incident and Aftermath
Following the confrontation, Mr. Hehir restrained the man on the pavement for nearly half an hour. Both individuals were arrested, but Mr. Hehir was later released without any charges. The day after the incident, he was suspended from his duties and summoned for an investigation.
During the disciplinary hearing, Mr. Hehir faced allegations of bringing disrepute to the company through physical assault and failing to ensure the safety of his passengers by leaving the bus unattended with the engine running while pursuing the assailant. He defended his actions by stating that he acted instinctively and had left the bus doors open with the handbrake engaged.
Reactions and Tribunal Findings
An email from Detective Constable Waddington presented at the hearing indicated that Mr. Hehir’s use of force was deemed proportionate and necessary for the defense of both himself and the female passenger. Mr. Hehir expressed concern for the female passenger’s safety, noting her fear when the assailant returned to the bus.
However, Alina Gioroc, an operations manager who presided over the disciplinary case, argued that the assailant had returned with the intention of apologizing and that Mr. Hehir’s actions were excessive. She stated that the man had not displayed aggression until Mr. Hehir pushed him away.
Ultimately, the tribunal found in favor of the allegations against Mr. Hehir, concluding that his actions constituted gross misconduct, leading to his dismissal without notice. For more details on this case, you can read about the London bus driver sacked after chasing and punching thief.
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Bildquelle: Bildquelle: Kai Damm-Jonas auf Unsplash
