A young Brisbane man who repeatedly punched a bus driver over a 50-cent fare dispute has been handed a suspended jail sentence and ordered to pay compensation.

Echibaketa Byamungu, 21, appeared via video-link in Brisbane Magistrates Court on Thursday, where he was sentenced to six months’ imprisonment, wholly suspended for 18 months, after pleading guilty to assault occasioning bodily harm.

The court heard Byamungu attacked bus driver Chun-hung Chiang, 46, on the evening of June 20, after refusing to pay his fare on a packed 130 service at South Bank.

When Mr Chiang asked him to leave the vehicle, Byamungu lashed out, striking the driver several times. The assault continued even after the driver attempted to return to his seat, with shocked passengers recording the incident on their phones.

Deputy Chief Magistrate Anthony Gett described the attack as “deplorable” and “grotesque,” telling Byamungu that bus drivers should not be forced into the role of law enforcement.

“Cross sections of the community rely on public transport, and they are entitled to expect they won’t be exposed to violence,” Mr Gett said. “It is sheer good fortune that Mr Chiang did not suffer more serious injuries.”

Byamungu, a machine operator and father, was ordered to pay $1000 compensation to the driver. A conviction was recorded.

The sentencing was delayed earlier in the day after police laid nine fresh charges against Byamungu over an unrelated matter while he was on bail. He appeared from Richlands watch house.

Born in a Tanzanian refugee camp after his family fled conflict in the Congo, Byamungu migrated to Australia in 2011 at age seven.

The Rail, Tram and Bus Union has since renewed calls for greater protections for drivers, warning of the risks they face in confrontations with passengers.