AN ARRAN chef who stole a school bus on a cocaine-fuelled bender has been banned from driving.

Aaron Norton, 20, admitted behaving abusively to police on January 17 before stealing a bus from Arran High School in the early hours of February 1.

Kilmarnock Sheriff Court heard how in relation to the first offence, police on patrol in Lamlash at around 1am saw Norton in the middle of the road shouting and screaming.

After moving towards him, Norton began screaming in the faces of the officers repeating the phrase “Oh really” over and over again.

Norton was said to have been sweating profusely and his eyes were not focused.

After officers moved him to the side of the road, Norton continued to say “oh really” as well as screaming “at the top of his voice”, according to the depute fiscal.

He was taken to a police cell and after being assisted onto the mattress, Norton said: “I’ve got drugs on me, it’s in my top pocket.”

A bag containing white powder - later revealed to be one gram of cocaine - was recovered.

Norton added: “It’s my cocaine” before continuing with his abusive language.

When referring to another man, Norton said: “Where’s Alan he’s a f*****, I don’t want to speak to him, I want to shoot him, he’s a f*****g p****.”

Despite being warned about his behaviour, Norton, a sous chef, added: “I’ll f*****g shoot him if he comes in here.”

Norton’s theft of a Stagecoach bus parked at Arran High School was noticed by staff reviewing CCTV.

The bus does not have an ignition and is switched on via control panel.

Between 2.10am and 3.14am a journey was carried out between the designated parking space and Red Quarry Road in Corrie.

Norton drove the bus for nine miles and CCTV at the Ship House stores saw a male leaving the vehicle and entering the shop, clearly identifying Norton as the driver.

He was not an employee of Stagecoach and police were eventually contacted.

Norton, of St Molios Road, Lamlash, previously pleaded guilty to the offence at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court and returned to the dock last week following the production of social work reports.

Defence solicitor Graeme Cunningahm said his client was rapidly engulfed by drug and alcohol problems around December 2015.

Mr Cunningham said he had more cocaine inside of his system than on his person.

He said his client took the bus back and forth from the parking space to his own address purely because it was there, branding it “bizarre” behaviour.

But he added: “He’s sought help with his addictions and I must say he comes across as a perfectly pleasant young man.

“He realises right from wrong, he’s extremely respectful and has a very good manner about him, he’s always worked since he left school and recognises his behaviour over that period was entirely unacceptable.

“He’s very quickly taken significant steps to turn his life around.”

Presiding Sheriff Shirley Foran disapproved of Norton’s antics but took a step back from jailing him.

She said: “This is quite extraordinary behaviour for someone so young. After such good life prospects you need to put things on track”.

Norton recieved 180 hours of unpaid work, a six month ban and had his licence endorsed.