Youth charged with attacking bus driver

Police in Christchurch have charged a 16-year-old youth with aggravated robbery after a bus driver was attacked last week.

The driver was attacked in Hoon Hay suburb seconds after picking up a teenage boy about 10pm on July 31.

Police said the driver was punched in the head by the teen before a group of Maori or Polynesian youths joined in and dragged him from his seat. The bus careered into a tree while the driver struggled with the youths.

The driver was further assaulted on the bus before the youths ran off with his money tray containing about $170 and a black satchel.

Battered and bruised, he spent a day off work recovering but was not seriously injured.

Detective Sergeant Nigel Hughes, of Christchurch police, said today the 16-year-old was arrested on Saturday and charged with aggravated robbery.

He was to appear in Christchurch Youth Court today.

Mr Hughes said police inquiries were continuing to try to identify others in the group. None of the cash had been recovered.

- NZPA