He was jailed for 21 months for aggravated vehicle taking

 

A man who stole a double decker bus while intoxicated with alcohol and drove it through Watford, causing thousands of pounds worth of damage, has been locked up for 21 months.

 

Drunk Deepak Malhotra, 35, swiped the eight-tonne motor before rampaging through Watford, Herts., in a one-mile wrecking spree

 

On Thursday, July 7 this year at around 9.50pm, 35 year old Deepak Malhotra, of Edgware Road, London, forced his way onto an empty bus at Watford Bus Station in Woodford Road.

He then drove almost three miles around the town on the one way system, and off into Radlet Road and up Bushey Mill Lane causing £150,000 thousands of pounds worth of damage to the bus, roadside furniture and two parked cars.

Malhotra eventually stopped the bus in Bushey Mill Lane and attempted to make off.

 

He was arrested nearby in St Albans Road. At Harrow Crown Court on Wednesday (October 19).

He was jailed for 21 months for aggravated vehicle taking, driving whilst disqualified and drink driving.

 

Malhotra was also banned from driving for three years and must retake his driving test before regaining his licence. He had pleaded guilty to the offences at an earlier hearing.

 

“He was both under the influence of alcohol and was already banned from driving at the time of the offence.

Investigating officer PC Mark Logan said: “Malhotra caused thousands of pounds worth of damage as he dangerously drove around the streets of Watford and it is only pure luck that no-one was injured during his reckless joyride. Video below

 

• A stolen double-decker left a trail of damage to cars, barriers and walls, police said.
• The bus was taken from outside Watford Junction station at about 22:00 BST on Thursday.
• Hertfordshire Police received a number of calls from the public as it was driven through the town.
• A 35-year-old man from London was arrested on suspicion of aggravated vehicle taking without consent.

'Some distance'

It caused damage to a number of vehicles before coming to a stop in St Albans Road following a further crash.

Sgt Steve Alison said: "The bus is believed to have travelled some distance, colliding with parked vehicles, barriers and other objects along the route.

"Fortunately, no passengers were believed to have been on the bus at the time it was taken and no one was hurt as a result of the incident.

"We would like to speak to anyone who believes they saw the incident taking place."