A teen who punched and kicked a bus driver who felt sorry for him will be banned from riding Kamloops buses for 18 months, a judge ordered Friday.

As well, the 17-year-old boy must stay away from drugs and alcohol and continue with treatment programs he has been attending, said provincial court Judge Chris Cleaveley.

The teen pleaded guilty to a number of offences stemming from three different incidents in late 2009 and early 2010.

On Dec. 18, bus driver Ian Ross saw the boy staggering drunk at the Lansdowne Street exchange. He felt sorry for him and offered a free ride.

On the bus, however, the teen picked a fight with a passenger and when the bus driver approached to break it up, the teen kicked him in the knee and punched him in the stomach.

Other passengers joined the fray and the teen was pulled from the bus where he was held until police arrived.

The teen also pleaded guilty to stealing a bottle of alcohol and punching a security guard at Royal Inland Hospital.

The Crown told the court the teen has had problems since he turned 12, when he broke his arm and was prescribed Tylenol 3s. He found other illegal substances soon after, but alcohol has been his biggest addiction problem.

Defence lawyer Chris Thompson told the court the teen has served 56 days in jail since the incidents, an experience that proved extremely unpleasant for him.

He’s done very well since he was released on bail and returned to his family. He will continue to work on beating his addictions, his lawyer said.

The teen told the judge he’s ashamed of his behaviour and disappointed with himself.

Cleaveley said the youth’s violent behaviour is troubling, as it appears he has a tendency to lash out at people who try to help him.

He imposed the 18-month period of supervision as requested, noting the sentence will take him into adulthood.

“Don’t disappoint yourself, your family or the community,” the judge said.