Bus Joyride Ends in Smash and Jail for Derby Man
Josh Redfern, 25, went on a reckless rampage when he stole a purple Indigo TrentBarton bus parked on Peveril Drive, Nottingham, around 8pm on August 4, 2023.
Red Light Run Sparks Crash
Moments into his joyride, Redfern sped through a red light on Castle Boulevard and smashed into a stationary car, writing it off with severe damage. Without a second thought, he fled the scene, leaving chaos behind.
Abandoned Bus Found 10 Miles Away
Police tracked the stolen bus over 10 miles away, abandoned in Borrowash near Derby. Nottinghamshire Police launched a witness appeal after releasing CCTV images of Redfern on Facebook, which led to his arrest.
Jailed for a Year Amid Suspended Sentence
Redfern, from Bethulie Road, Derby, appeared at Nottingham Crown Court on October 26 and was locked up for 12 months. He pleaded guilty to aggravated vehicle taking, failing to stop after an accident, driving while disqualified, and driving without insurance.
The court heard he committed the offences while serving a suspended prison sentence handed down in December 2022 for possession and supply of Class A and B drugs.
“Redfern’s actions that evening were mindless, reckless and dangerous,” said PC Matt Fisher of Nottinghamshire Police.
“He climbed inside a bus and set off into a busy city – presumably with no thought of the harm he could potentially cause to other road users.
“Thankfully no one was seriously injured but that is no thanks to Redfern. He wrote off one car after colliding with it and could have harmed anyone else who he came into contact with.
“I am pleased a judge has seen fit to put him behind bars.”
