Man charged over Gold Coast bus attack

A man accused of bashing a Gold Coast bus driver claims the driver was to blame.

Jean-Adelphe Lasm, 20, faced Southport Magistrates Court on Monday charged with serious assault.

Video of the incident, which occurred on Nerang St about 8.20am (AEST) on Friday, showed what appeared to be a man dragging the 63-year-old driver along the ground and striking him in the head.

Police have previously said the incident occurred after a man tried to pay for his fare with an empty pre-paid travel card, or GoCard, and then with a $50 note, which was not accepted by the driver.

The driver was treated for cuts and bruises to his face.

Police allege the incident followed a fare dispute.

"My instructions are the driver was the aggressor," Lasm's lawyer Evan Cooper told the court on Monday.

"The injuries in and of themselves are relatively minor."

The magistrate adjourned the matter until Tuesday, saying he wanted to see CCTV footage of the fight to verify Lasm's claim of self-defence before ruling on his bail application.