A man who attacked a woman for coughing on a bus has been given a community order.

Justin Anderson, 29, assaulted the 27-year-old woman on a route 266 bus through the boroughs of Barnet and Brent last November.

Anderson turned round and told the victim not to cough again after she coughed while sitting behind him.

Taken by surprise, the victim thought he was joking and asked if she knew him.

Anderson said he did not know her and then got up and sat opposite the victim before leaning into her face and head butting her.

The victim called police and on hearing her make this call, Anderson got off the bus.

But Anderson, of Craven Park, Harlesden, handed himself in to Wembley Police Station after seeing what he thought was a CCTV image of himself published in the local papers.

This image turned out to be a look-a-like wanted for a different offence.

But while at the police station he admitted to having an argument with a woman on a bus and officers were able to link it to the incident back in November.

Investigating officer PC Matt Cannon of Wembley Safer Transport Team said: "Anderson claimed the assault didn't happen and he and the victim had just had an argument, however the CCTV evidence in this case was stacked against him, therefore securing a conviction."

He was arrested on suspicion of actual bodily harm for the bus incident and released on bail. 

Anderson pleaded guilty to assault by beating at Hendon Magistrates Court in March, and was served with a community order on Thursday, April 3.

He was ordered to attend mental health appointments under supervision for a period of 12 months and to pay compensation of £100 and a victim surcharge of £60.