A BUS driver who suffered a heart attack when he was abused by a drunk teenager says he is lucky to be alive.

Frederick Porter, 67, was subjected to a tirade of swear words and threats by 19-year-old Jake Tolley as he drove the 354 bus through Clock House, Beckenham.

Mr Porter, of St Paul’s Cray, suffered a heart attack and collapsed after Tolley had tried to pull open the door to the driver’s cabin.

Mr Porter spent three months recovering in hospital and will need regular treatment for the rest of his life.

He is no longer able to do the job he loved for 10 years because of his ordeal.

Despite this, the former lorry driver is philosophical about his fate.

He said: "There are a lot of people worse off. I’m lucky."

He said he did not remember anything about the incident last April or the two weeks after it happened.

His wife Dorothy said: "It was touch-and-go for a while. It’s been very traumatic, but we’ve got to look forward now."

On Thursday, Bromley magistrates imposed a 10-week detention sentence, suspended for 18 months, on Tolley, of Ridsdale Road, Anerley.

They also ordered him to pay £100 compensation to Mr Porter and Stuart Inman, an elderly passenger on the bus, who he pushed. Tolley had pleaded guilty to using threatening words and behaviour and common assault on Mr Inman.

Shahid Mumtaz, defending, said Tolley had alcohol problems and had started to use crack cocaine.

Chairman of the bench Jim Connor told him: "All members of the public have a right to travel safely and without fear on public transport.

"All members of staff also have the right to work without being harassed or put in fear for their safety.

He added: "I think you can consider yourself very fortunate that you are not going straight into custody."

Tolley, who works part-time at a Sainsbury’s store, will also undergo a supervision order and alcohol treatment for 12 months.