Man refused bail over school bus assault

A MAN charged over a violent assault aboard a Junee school bus will remain behind bars after being refused bail in court.

Shane Edward Hunt, 53, appeared via audio visual link in a bail court on Saturday after being charged over Friday afternoon’s incident, which unfolded in full view of schoolchildren travelling home from Wagga on a shared school and public bus service.

Police allege Hunt was acting aggressively towards the female bus driver, causing her to stop the bus near the Junee abattoir on Byrnes Road, before a violent confrontation erupted between him and another male passenger.

Confronting footage of the incident, obtained exclusively by The Junee Bulletin, appears to show a 61-year-old passenger stand from his seat, approach Hunt from behind and place an object around his neck.

The bus driver, a local grandmother, is then seen attempting to de-escalate the situation before a violent altercation unfolds in the aisle of the bus in full view of students.

Images: Supplied

The footage appears to show Hunt grabbing the older man before repeatedly headbutting him, causing him to fall into a bus seat occupied by two students.

The confrontation then spills into the aisle, where Hunt allegedly continues the assault, seen head-butting the older man a further four times on the ground and kicking him, before a third adult passenger intervenes and separates the pair.

Following the incident, Hunt can be heard addressing students aboard the bus.

“How f****** dare you grab me from behind mate, and with a rope, in front of students,” he says in the footage before apologising to the children.

“Sorry kids. I only did that to get myself out of that position.”

Image: Supplied

Emergency services were called to the scene about 4.30pm.

The 61-year-old man suffered a head injury and was treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics before being transported to Junee Hospital.

Hunt was arrested several hours later and taken to Junee Police Station, where he was charged with affray and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

He was refused police bail before appearing via audio visual link in a bail court on Saturday, where he was again refused bail and remanded in custody.

He is due to reappear in Wagga Local Court on June 29.

The incident occurred on one of the regular shared bus services operated by Junee Buses between Wagga and Junee, reigniting debate over schoolchildren travelling alongside members of the public.

The service collects students from up to 16 schools across Wagga, including at least nine primary schools, while also providing a vital public transport link for residents travelling between the two centres.

File Image/Wikimedia/Bidgee ( CC BY-SA 3.0)

The arrangement has become a focal point of community debate following Friday’s incident, which has sparked renewed calls for student-only bus services.

Transport for NSW said it was aware of the incident and described the safety of passengers and drivers as its top priority.

“The safety and security of all passengers and drivers on our network is the number one priority for Transport for NSW,” a spokesperson said.

The agency said it was unable to comment further while police investigations continue, but would continue to monitor reports of anti-social behaviour and work closely with Police Transport Command and NSW Police.

Despite Transport for NSW’s assurances, many local parents say Friday’s incident demonstrates the need for change.

Junee father Joe Flaws said it was not the first time children had witnessed an incident involving adult passengers.

“This is the second incident that has occurred on this bus with adults in front of all aged children,” he said.

The incident occurred on one of the regular shared bus services operated by Junee Buses between Wagga and Junee | Image: Google Maps

“Our daughter has not long gotten over the last incident she witnessed. I think it’s time that our local member got involved since the bus company can’t change it.”

Junee mother Sharon Brewer-Manning said children had been left distressed and traumatised by what they witnessed.

“I know my child and others are very distressed and traumatised after witnessing this, being trapped inside the bus while this took place,” she said.

“It was only luck that a child wasn’t physically hurt. Something needs to be done to ensure the children aren’t put at risk again.”

Andrew Dwyer agreed.

“The kids need safe travel arrangements as they have to go to school,” he said.

“Convenience isn’t a good enough excuse to have the public amongst school children.”

Others, however, argue the shared service remains an important transport option in a regional area with limited public transport alternatives.

The man who intervened to stop the fight said he relied on the service when finishing work early in Wagga and understood both sides of the debate.

“I pulled the man off and escorted him to the front of the bus to prevent him from causing more harm,” he told The Junee Bulletin.

“After he left the bus, I asked the students if they were okay.

“I catch that bus when I’ve finished work early. I do understand and agree with the concerns of parents who don’t want adults on that school bus.”