Ref. 75641-08BUS driver Ruhul Amin is back behind the wheel after being punched in the face by a teenage thug.

And despite the attack, the affable 29-year-old is refusing to be taken off his route, where he is popular with passengers.

Stagecoach driver Ruhul was dropping off passengers at the Village Tavern stop in Dunwich Drive, Toothill, when a passenger turned on him.

The assailant who was around 16 years of age punched him twice in the face, leaving Ruhul in pain and needing hospital treatment.

Bizarrely, before the attack, the boy took Ruhul's photograph on his mobile phone.

Now, the father-of-one fears the attacker plans to circulate his picture among his friends.

But despite the concerns, Ruhul won't give up his number eight Fleming Way to Freshbrook route.

"I was really angry and shocked afterwards, and like all bus drivers I do get a fair amount of abuse," he said.

"But I also know a lot of my passengers and they are great people.

"I have built up a good relationship with them.

"It's only the teenagers who cause problems."

Ruhul took two days off following last week's incident, but is now back at work.

He was taken to the Great Western Hospital with mild concussion from the force of the blows.

The assailant got on the bus at Fleming Way.

"He was with some friends and spoke in a silly voice when buying his ticket," said Ruhul, who began his job eight months ago.

"His friends all got off at the Village Tavern, but he walked down the bus really slowly.

"I could see him in my mirror and I wondered why he was walking so slowly.

"Then he pointed his phone at me and took my photograph.

"Suddenly he threw a punch, but it missed.

"But he punched me twice again, on the cheek and ear.

"Because I was sitting in the driver's seat, I couldn't defend myself."

The bus was nearly full, and passengers came to his aid as the boy ran off.

Ruhul managed to drive back to the bus station before concussion and shock kicked in. "It was really painful and my cheek is still swollen," he said.

Ruhul is mystified as to the motive. He is originally from Bangladesh, but doesn't believe the incident was racially motivated as there was no verbal insults.

His manager Richard Hall said: "We take these kind of issues extremely seriously, and will take steps to prosecute the offender.

"Staff should be able to do their duty without facing abuse."

l The assailant is described as black or of mixed heritage with a skinny build.

He had short, dark hair and wore a red jacket with the hood over his head.

The incident happened at 3.20pm on Wednesday, January 12.

Anyone with information should call PC James Neighbour on 01793 528111.