Man accused of attacking driver and stealing bus
Andy Smith/Telford LiveA court has heard how a man allegedly assaulted a bus driver and stole his vehicle, before crashing into a row of parked cars.
Seven of the offences relate to the incident involving a bus on Court Street in Madeley, Telford, at about 18:30 BST on Friday.
Telford Magistrates' Court heard that Balhad is an asylum seeker of no fixed abode who entered the country illegally on 2 May.
A Yemeni national, police previously said Balhad had been in the Telford area for about a week.
He was not asked to enter a plea and was remanded in custody to appear at Shrewsbury Crown Court on 19 October.
Monday's hearing was held in his absence and was overseen by deputy district judge Micaila Williams, appearing via video link from Kidderminster Magistrates' Court.
Two of the 10 charges - threats to kill and assault on an emergency worker - related to an incident on 16 September.
Balhad has also been charged with theft from a store, in relation with an incident on 17 September.
During the alleged attack on Friday, the bus was driven along Park Way towards the High Street, where it hit a number of vehicles before coming to a stop.
West Mercia Police said the driver was not seriously injured,
The force has thanked members of the public who came to the driver's aid, and Telford MP Shaun Davis praised the driver.
Lee Carter, the leader of Telford and Wrekin Council, also said he was shocked and saddened by the incident.
An online fundraiser, set up to raise money for the bus driver and some of the witnesses who helped him, has raised more than £6,000.
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