Amanulla Turk, 36, admitted possessing an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence.

His defence team at Leicester Crown Court said he carried the weapon after suffering abuse and violence at work.

Judge Michael Stokes QC sentenced him to 140 hours of community punishment with £150 costs.

Revealed gun

The court heard the former Arriva buses driver armed himself with the ball-bearing pistol after suffering a string of "road rage" attacks.

He was caught after an incident in Syston last September when he shouted at another driver through his bus window before revealing his gun.

The judge told Turk: "I don't want it to be thought that anyone who carries a weapon of this sort on to the streets of Leicester will not immediately be sent to prison, because they will.