A drunk passenger crashed a bus after getting behind the wheel on a busy road in Glasgow.

Frank Kennedy took control of the number 66 First Bus before crashing into an ambulance and other vehicles.

Bus driver Pawel Smetek and a female police officer were thrown from the bus as the 27-year-old veered across the road.

Kennedy drove the bus while drunk after it had stopped to allow emergency services on to assist his friend, who had been attacked.

Prosecutor Bernard Ablett told Glasgow Sheriff Court on Friday there were eight other passengers on board as well as two police officers and three paramedics.

Mr Ablett said: "The paramedics and some of the civilian bus passengers attempted to assist a police officer who was continuing to struggle with the accused.

"The bus veered across the road striking the police vehicle and an ambulance. The result of this collision also damaged a fence, which in turn struck a motor vehicle. The bus came to a halt at an angle across Dumbarton Road.

"Paramedics on board helped to restrain the accused as did some of the passengers. One passenger intervened by punching and kicking him."

Kennedy had been on board the bus on September 2 this year with friend Steven McNee. McNee was attacked by another passenger and driver Mr Smetek stopped the vehicle in Dumbarton Road, Yoker, Glasgow.

999

Mr Smetek left his cab to dial 999, but the key remained in the ignition as it was fixed in place. As the emergency services arrived, Kennedy was spotted getting behind the wheel.

As the bus was swung round by Kennedy, driver Mr Smetek and PC Karin Buchanan were thrown from the open door of the bus before Kennedy smashed into a paramedic vehicle and an MG sports car.

The drink driver was eventually hand-cuffed. He was charged and said to police: "What do you think I will get for this?"

The court heard that this stretch of busy Dumbarton Road was closed for three hours while a clean-up was carried out. The front of the bus was badly damaged.

Liam Ewing, defending, said Kennedy was "heavily intoxicated" and was sorry what had gone on. The lawyer added: "It defies explanation or rational analysis and clearly must be linked to alcohol although he knows this is no excuse."

Sheriff Norman Ritchie QC remanded Kennedy in custody and deferred sentencing for reports. He said: "This is just madness this incident I've been told about. Your record is terrible."