A man has been spared jail despite admitting attacking a bus driver, hijacking his bus and crashing it into 15 parked cars.

Yadwinder Singh, 31, of Windsor Court, Friern Barnet, was three times over the drink-drive limit when he released the handbrake of the bus and ploughed it into a row of parked cars in Oakleigh Road North, Whetstone.

The out-of-control bus caused a domino effect of crashing cars, with one car forcing another through a fence into the front porch of a house.

Singh was sentenced at Harrow Crown Court last Thursday after pleading guilty to common assault, damaging property, and aggravated vehicle taking. He also admitted driving without a licence and under the influence of alcohol.

Recorder Nigel Lambert QC imposed a 12-month suspended sentence, a two-year driving ban, a requirement to attend an alcohol treatment course and an 18-month supervision order.

He said Singh's actions were "appalling" but rejected a prison sentence because he is a carer for his 43-year-old wife, who has a skin condition and requires constant support.

Singh boarded the number 34 bus at Arnos Grove Tube station at about 1.20am on October 19 last year, and charged up and down, holding a beer can. When the driver asked him to leave, Singh did so, but then forced the doors open again, broke a perspex glass barrier and started hitting the driver.

Prosecuting Alex Segbetia said: "The driver lifted his cash box and used it to defend himself while the defendant continued to assault him.

"He managed to get off the bus but the defendant got into the driver's seat and the bus began to roll down the hill. It hit 15 vehicles, causing £78,000 worth of damage, as well as hitting the wall of a house."

Singh told police: "It was a very big blunder. I am totally ashamed and I haven't touched alcohol since."

Barry Kogan, defending, said Singh had written letters of apology to the car owners, bus driver and bus company.

Mr Kogan said: "He Singh was depressed, he was drinking heavily, and his wife suffers from disability. "His father was a violent alcoholic who often abused and beat my client. He drowned himself when my client was 14."

He added that Singh, assistant manager of a corner shop, had arranged counselling since the incident.

Singh was handed suspended three-month consecutive prison sentences for common assault and criminal damage and six months suspended imprisonment for aggravated vehicle taking.