Man Jailed For More Than Four Years After Domestic Abuse Victim Alerts Hove Bus Driver

A man has been jailed for more than four years after a victim of domestic abuse quietly alerted a bus driver while travelling with him in Hove.

James Sinden, 43, of no fixed address, was sentenced at Brighton Crown Court on Tuesday 6 October.

He received four years in prison for assault by penetration and a concurrent one-year sentence for false imprisonment.

A further month was added for breaching a suspended sentence for attempted burglary, with another two months for breaching a community order. He was also given a seven-year restraining order.

The incident happened on 9 November last year, when the distressed victim boarded a bus with Sinden and whispered to the driver that she was experiencing domestic abuse.

The driver removed Sinden from the bus, continued along the route to put distance between him and the victim, and contacted police.

Detective Sergeant Rod Davis praised the victim’s courage in seeking help. The bus driver was also commended by the court for his actions.

Police say anyone experiencing domestic abuse will be listened to, believed and supported.