Bus driver sentenced

James Roberts, of Park Street, Abbotsford, was sentenced in the Broadmeadows Court yesterday to six weeks’ gaol on a charge of having driven under the influence of liquor.

He was the driver of a bus which crashed into a tree near Broadmeadows on December 1, injuring eight people.

Roberts, who pleaded not guilty, was allowed a stay of seven days pending a possible appeal.

Another charge against Roberts of negligent driving was dismissed by Mr Catlow, SM.

The police case was that Roberts had driven a part of his journey on the wrong side of the road, “broadsided” around a corner and struck a tree which was 9ft. from the side of the road.

Roberts claimed he had only two drinks and that he struck the tree when he misjudged the swing of the bus after moving over for a passing car.

https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/245134918