A man who attacked a Niagara Transit employee while armed with a hunting knife said he is homeless and rides the bus to escape dangers on the streets.

Adriel Tayti appeared in Ontario court of justice in St. Catharines on Wednesday and pleaded guilty to several charges, which included assault with a weapon and resisting arrest.

The 21-year-old was sentenced to time served. He had already served the equivalent of 90 days behind bars and was placed on probation for two years.

Assistant Crown attorney Jordan Lacelle described the crime as “every employee’s nightmare. This is a situation that could have been far worse.”

On Aug. 15, court heard, the offender boarded a bus as it drove to the Welland bus terminal.

The female driver observed the young man “acting strange and looked dazed and

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