A man has been jailed for the “senseless” stabbing of a bus driver in Stepney Green.

Bradley Peek, 20, of Jamaica Street, pulled a knife on the driver on the afternoon of June 18 last year.

Police said the confrontation, which took place in Commercial Road, began after Peek saw a man he knew arguing with the bus driver.

The victim sustained a tear to the heart, fractures to seven ribs and a punctured lung in the attack.

Within hours, detectives had identified Peek as the suspect and subsequently arrested him.

He was ultimately charged with grievous bodily harm with intent, and jailed for more than five years.

Detective Inspector Jonathan Potter, who led the investigation, said: “This was a senseless attack and a huge team effort from officers across the Met to secure justice for the victim.

“The use of facial recognition technology and CCTV footage allowed officers to quickly identify and locate Peek.

“I would also like to thank colleagues from the Royal London Hospital who performed an emergency operation which ultimately saved the victim’s life.”

Siwan Hayward, director of security, policing and enforcement at TfL, added: “This was an appalling act of violence against our colleague who was just trying to do their job.

“Our staff have the right to do their job without fear or intimidation and we do not tolerate any violence, aggression or threatening behaviour towards them.”