A man has appeared in court for the second time accused of stealing a bus and driving it recklessly around Aberdeen.
The vehicle, owned by Stagecoach, was taken from Guild Street bus station on Saturday, May 16, before being driven around the city – colliding with other vehicles and “street furniture”.
Nobody was injured in the incident, which happened at around 11.40pm.
Hans Lewis Reid, of no fixed abode, made no plea to the nine charges against him when he appeared in private again at the city’s sheriff court yesterday.
Reid is alleged to have stolen the bus, before driving it while under the influence of drink or drugs in a “culpable and reckless” manner around the city.
Prosecutors claim he did so without a licence or insurance.
He is further accused of failing to stop the vehicle when signalled to pull over by police officers. Court papers also say he failed to identify himself as the driver of the vehicle.
Reid is also alleged to have assaulted a police officer and is facing a further charge of vandalism.
Yesterday the 26-year-old was remanded in custody by Sheriff Kenneth Stewart and his case was committed for further examination.
A Crown office spokesman said: “Hans Reid appeared on petition in relation to road traffic offences involving the use of a bus in Aberdeen on May 16 and 17.
“He made no plea or declaration and was remanded in custody.”
Five police cars were seen chasing after the bus along Rose Street, and officers blocked off the roundabout on Anderson Drive.
The coach was finally stopped on the city’s Seafield Road.
A police spokesman said: “The vehicle was driven around parts of Aberdeen city, during which time the bus collided with a number of items of street furniture and other vehicles.
“A 26-year-old man was subsequently arrested by officers and reported to the procurator fiscal in connection with the incident.”
A Stagecoach spokesman said: “We can confirm one of our vehicles was taken from Aberdeen Bus Station around 11.40pm on Saturday and subsequently recovered by police.”