Man in internet row hunted down and beaten up in Wolverhampton bus attack

Daniel Bills, aged 18, leapt on a passing bus to attack 26-year-old Dwaine Nelson four days after the internet exchange.

At Wolverhampton Crown Court this week, Mr Mark Phillips, prosecuting, explained: "Mr Nelson had been involved in what he described as a heated argument that ended on bad terms with a woman during a chat on the internet where he had befriended her three months earlier."

Twenty minutes later the victim received a message from Bills that stated: "Wait till I catch you. Come out and see what happens."

Mr Phillips continued: "The complainant then heard that someone was looking for him and had tried to discover where he lived. He was worried and fearful."

Mr Nelson was on the number 82 bus from Wednesfield to Wolverhampton city centre when Bills spotted him while the vehicle was at a stop in Deansfield Road at around 1pm on March 26.

The prosecutor said: "The defendant knew what the Mr Nelson looked like because he had seen pictures of him on the internet. Bills was on the other side of the street and the pair made eye contact. "

The defendant and two of his friends ran in front of the bus to prevent it driving away, allowing Bills to get on and confront his quarry who was trying to get off and was punched in the face, it was said.

"The two people who had been with Bills in the street then also got on to the bus to prevent the driver intervening and a melee developed during which Mr Nelson was kicked numerous times by two of the men while lying on the floor."

The beating only ended when the attackers ran away after being forced from the bus by other passengers, the court was told. The victim was taken to hospital with a suspected broken nose, a cut to his head and mouth injuries. Bills was quickly traced but the other two people involved in the attack have not been tracked down.

Mr Nelson said in a victim impact statement: "I am frightened to leave the house in case I see this person again and am scared to use the bus any more."

Mr Patrick Currie, defending, alleged that Bills hit out believing he was about to be attacked by the other man but accepted that the response went far beyond reasonable self defence.

The defendant from Hawkley Close, Brooklands Parade, Eastfield, who was of previous good character, admitted assault and was given nine months detention, suspended for two years with 150 hours unpaid work and £250 compensation to the victim.

Recorder Adrian Reynolds said: "You have escaped custody by the skin of your teeth and will not get another chance, especially if you flex your muscles in pursuit of some imagined grievance again."