An asylum seeker who was charged after a bus was allegedly stolen and driven into several vehicles in Shropshire has refused to appear in court.
Yemeni national Ali Balhad, 33, would not leave the cells for the 30-minute hearing at Telford Magistrates’ Court on Monday, after being charged in connection with the incident which happened in Madeley near Telford.
West Mercia Police said a bus driver was assaulted at about 6.37pm on Friday in Court Street.
The driver was ejected from the vehicle before it was driven along Park Way towards the High Street, where it crashed into several other vehicles before coming to a stop.
The bus driver was not seriously injured but was assessed at the scene by paramedics and taken to hospital for further treatment.
Balhad, who the force said had been in the Telford area for about a week, was charged on Saturday with aggravated vehicle taking, attempted grievous bodily harm, driving a motor vehicle dangerously, robbery, and three counts of criminal damage, in connection with the incident.
He was also charged with threats to kill and common assault in connection with an unrelated incident that happened on September 16, two days before the bus was allegedly taken, and theft of a £7 coat from a store in Telford on September 17.
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Prosecutor Alisha Collins said Balhad was an asylum seeker and of no fixed address, having entered the UK illegally in May this year.
Deputy District Judge Micaila Williams, who appeared by video-link from Kidderminster Magistrates’ Court for the hearing, refused Balhad bail and said all the offences except the theft would be sent to Shrewsbury Crown Court on October 19.
A further magistrates’ court hearing for the theft matter was set for November 2.
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