A MAN boarded a bus at Mold bus station, grabbed a bank bag full of change, and fled.
The bus driver, Paul Jones, gave chase and retrieved the money. But the thief, Wayne Jones was aggressive and later kicked out at the police car when he was arrested and taken to the police station.
The 38-year-old defendant, from Napier Square in Hightown, Wrexham, admitted theft and criminal damage to a police car.
He was fined £40 for the theft, ordered to pay £387 compensation for the damage to the police car, and £55 costs.
Tracey Willingham, prosecuting, said Jones got onto the Arriva bus and asked how much the fare was to Chester.
He appeared confused and then suddenly grabbed the bank bag containing £40 in change and ran off.
The driver ran after him, caught him in Chester Street and when he asked for the money back it was alleged he became aggressive.
Police were called, and when he was arrested he struggled and damaged a perspex shield and the door of the police car.
Defending solicitor Bev Foulkes said his client had been living in St John's Hostel for the homeless in Wrexham.
But he left when he found a young man injecting drugs at the bottom of his bed one morning and wanted nothing to do with it.
He moved into the home of a friend in Mold but felt vulnerable, had a drink, and the offences occurred.
