Bus fanatic posed as driver to steal two double-deckers for joyrides — and picked up passengers

A FANATIC posed as a bus driver and stole two double deckers for joyrides — even picking up passengers on his way.

Shakeil Austin, 20, crashed the first vehicle into a white Mercedes and failed to stop.

Austin — who only had a provisional licence — then drove the 12-ton bus back to where he found it, before fleeing.

A month later, wearing an inspector’s hat and hi-vis jacket, he took another bus from the same spot in Edgware Road, London.

He stopped to pick up two passengers and let one of them, a male pal, drive it about 15ft.

After safely dropping off the pair, Austin again parked the vehicle where he had found it.

The early hours thefts on February 16 and March 25, involved Metroline red Routemaster buses.

Last July, Austin was dismissed after a week working at a local bus garage — where it is thought he may have picked up tricks on how to start the vehicles using a combination of buttons.

His Facebook page is littered with bus memorabilia, images of old Routemasters and snaps of himself dressed as a conductor and a driver.

Austin of Brent, North West London, admitted eight offences to Willesden Green magistrates.

They included taking a vehicle without consent, aggravated vehicle taking and theft — after officers found an inspector’s hat, Metroline man bag, and a bus driver’s and hi-vis jacket.

The court heard the amount of damage caused to the first bus was under £5,000.

Austin was granted bail and his sentencing was adjourned until June 12 for reports.

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