Robert Latimer of, Dock Street, Monkwearmouth, was driving a route notorious for assaults and abuse, according to his solicitors, when an aggressive passenger swung a bag of beer bottles at him.

The 63-year-old, who had been working in London at the time, said: "I pushed myself against the cab window as far as I could because I knew what was coming, but it didn't really help.

"He broke my arm in two places and damaged the muscle and ligaments in my shoulder.

"I kicked him in the face and kicked him out of the door of the bus.

"I got his hat and the police did a full DNA scan but he hasn't been caught yet."

Robert, who has lived in Sunderland all his life, moved to work in London after the bus bombings because there was a driver shortage and the wages were higher.

After the attack his doctor signed him off work and he sent letters from his GP to his employer, Travel London, but they stopped paying his salary and sick pay.

They kept contacting him to ask why he was not at work, and even though he was back in Sunderland they demanded he attend meetings in London.

Robert put in personal injury and unfair dismissal and disability discrimination claims. He was supported throughout by his trade union, GMB Northern, and Thompsons Solicitors.

The bus company alleged Robert was the aggressor and attacked the passenger, even though Metropolitan Police reports showed otherwise.

Tommy Brennan, GMB Northern secretary, said: "Travel London have behaved appallingly and have showed complete disregard for the law in treating Robert Latimer in this disgraceful way.

"He was a victim of a serious crime and yet not only did they try to paint him as the aggressor, they refused to talk to the GMB or to give our member the right of a grievance hearing and to appeal against his sacking."

Travel London has admitted it should have fitted Perspex screens to protect drivers, but refused to admit its failure to do so made it liable.

The company agreed to settle both Mr Latimer's claims, on the steps of the court.

Robert said: "What happened to me shows why it is so important to be a member of a trade union.

"Without the union, and Thompsons Solicitors, I could not have coped with the stress of taking Travel London to court.

"It's been a terrible ordeal for me and I'm hugely relieved that it is over."

Travel London said Mr Latimer's claims about the bus route being a high risk route for assault and abuse, were completely untrue and their statistics did not point towards that.

A spokesman for the company added: "We were in the process of fitting all buses with screens and obviously we regret that the incident happened but we are a safe and responsible bus operator."