BUS chiefs have warned they will throw the book at passengers who intimidate or threaten their staff.

It comes after Poole woman Emma Woolley, 24, was slapped with a restraining order for intimidating a bus driver.

Zoe Oakley, 29, was so traumatised by her ordeal she spent weeks off work due to stress and anxiety.

Along with husband Chris, who was given a restraining order last year, Ms Woolley embarked on a campaign of harassment against the Wilts and Dorset driver last year.

Wilts and Dorset said the Woolleys’ case showed they would crack down on such behaviour.

“This case sends a very strong message that harassment and intimidation of bus workers will not be tolerated in any circumstances,” said a company spokesman.

“All of the company’s staff have the full protection of the law when undertaking their duties.”

Ms Woolley began harassing the Wilts and Dorset employee last summer, shouting at her and sitting in her driver’s seat.

Later in the year, the couple stood in front of the bus shouting abuse, prompting Ms Oakley to press her panic button.

Ms Woolley, from Turlin Moor, also made false claims of intimidation and assault against Ms Oakley.

She was handed a two-year conditional discharge and a two-year restraining order for harassment and wasting police time.

Mr Woolley, 25, from Rossmore, was also convicted of harassment and handed the same punishments as his wife in November.

Sergeant Billy Bulloch said: “The Woolleys’ behaviour was having a really negative impact on Zoe’s quality of life and I am delighted that we have succeeded in resolving this.”