A FORMER Morebus driver ploughed into a traffic island just seconds after pulling away from a bus stop in Bournemouth town centre, a court has heard.

Mark Noble, aged 41, of Blandford Road, was convicted of one count of driving without due care and attention at Poole Magistrates court last Friday, following a trial.

Noble, who had been a driver for Morebus at the time of the accident, on November 3, last year, told the court he'd had a coughing fit seconds before the collision, which took place at 4.05am as his night shift was drawing to a close.

He also said he'd been suffering with cold and flu symptoms all week before the smash, which took place when he had just one passenger onboard.

"I'd been taking a number of medications, had a coughing fit, then lent forward," said Noble. "The next thing I felt was the shock of what just happened. There was broken glass and coins, the takings, all over the place."

The bus mounted the traffic island close to the junction of Westover Road and Gervis Place, smashed down a lamp post and became wedged on top.

This island was barely 50 metres from the bus stop Noble had just left.

Noble, who denied all charges, had been taking a number of different over the counter medications at the time, the hearing was told.

The court also heard, which was confirmed by Noble, that he was drinking energy drinks containing caffeine.

Charles Nightingale, prosecuting, asked Noble if he'd been aware it was not recommended to mix different cold remedies which contained decongestants, or to take caffeine with them.

Mr Nightingale said: "You were driving a public service vehicle and not abiding by medication guidelines.

"You mounted the central island, knocked over a lamp post and impaled your bus on the stump."

The prosecution also suggested that at 5mph, the speed Noble said he'd been driving at the time of the accident, the vehicle's hydraulic brakes - which were found to be in good working order afterwards - would have stopped the bus almost immediately had they been applied.

"Mixing medication is an example of you failing to be a reasonable and prudent road user," Mr Nightingale said. "Failing to apply the brakes is an example of you failing to be a reasonable and prudent road user.

"You were taking so much medication, you were not fit to drive."

District Judge Stephen Nicholls found Noble, who is no longer an employee of Morebus, guilty of driving without due care and attention.

He was fined £200, ordered to pay £230 in surcharge and costs, and given six penalty points on his driving licence.