YORK Police have welcomed a court move that means that a bus vandal could face five years in jail if he offends again.

Magistrates heard that Kevin Iain Scott, 22, of Kempton Close, Acomb, was responsible for years of "mindless" vandalism.

He was yesterday jailed for two months after admitting criminal damage.

York magistrates head that in May he threw a metal tool through the windscreen of a First bus as it travelled through Bramham Road, Chapelfields.

Almost four years ago, in the same street, he smashed the windscreen of another bus.

He could face five years in jail for similar crimes after magistrates made a criminal antisocial behaviour order (CRASBO) against him.

The decision came on the same day that York Police and First bosses launched the "Bus STOP Bullies" campaign.

Thugs who attack buses now face a ban from all UK First services, while drivers have received police training to help them deal with incidents.

PC Carolyn Hardman welcomed the court's decision and said it served as a "warning shot" for other vandals. She said: "This CRASBO makes it much easier for the police to deal with Scott.

"People in his community know who he is and hopefully this will give them the confidence to report his antisocial behaviour."

The May 11 bus incident was one of a string of bus attacks that led to services being temporarily rerouted.

Allan Armbrister, prosecuting, told magistrates the two bus incidents were among more than 20 public order, vandalism or drunken offences committed by Scott since 1998. "These have been just mindless vandalism in the past which caused inconvenience to ordinary members of the public who have to rely on public transport, buses, phones and call boxes," he said.

Nicholas Darwin, mitigating, argued that normal penalties were enough to punish his client and that he had behaved responsibly since being released from prison in December 2003.

Senior magistrate Gill Stilwell said it was necessary to protect the public and would last indefinitely.

It bans Scott from committing or inciting criminal damage or public order offences anywhere in the City of York Council area.

If he breaks the order he could be jailed for five years.

About the May 11 bus incident, she said: "This was vandalism which was needless and dangerous which could have placed driver and passengers in serious risk of injuries."

Updated: 10:32 Friday, June 18, 2004