A magistrate has ordered social inquiry reports on a Southampton man who attacked a bus driver last month.

With a number of Public Transportation Board drivers watching in Magistrates’ Court, 23-year-old Kenneth Leverock — dressed in Works and Engineering overalls — admitted to an unprovoked assault on bus operator Edwin Phillips on January 9.

Prosecutor Cindy Clarke told the court Leverock boarded Mr Phillip’s bus in Hamilton and was told to turn down the music he was playing from his cellphone.

The two had no further contact until the junction of Industrial Park Road and Middle Road in Southampton when, after stopping the bus, Mr Phillips saw Leverock approach out of the corner of his eye.

Leverock began raining down punches on his face and to the back of his head before getting off the bus.

Senior Magistrate Archibald Warner ordered a social inquiry report, drug assessment and a psychological evaluation before sentencing.

Leverock was released $5,000 bail with one surety and must wear an electronic monitoring device while under house arrest.

Leverock was represented by Saul Dismont and he will be sentenced on April 11.