A SCHOOL bus driver "in a bad mood" slammed on his brakes, sending pupils flying, after allegedly being spotted texting while driving.

Some suffered bumps and bruises, but one girl broke a bone in her lower forearm, a jury heard.

As the youngsters got off the Go Northern double-decker, driver Robert Dale swore at them, Durham Crown Court was told yesterday.

Mr Dale, 57, of Ashfield, Newton Aycliffe, denies alternative charges of dangerous driving and causing bodily harm to the girl by wanton or furious driving.

The latter charge was brought because it was not clear whether the incident happened in the grounds of Staindrop Comprehensive School and therefore on a private road, or on Cleatlam Lane, a public highway, the court heard.

Paul Newcombe, prosecuting, said that Mr Dale may have deliberately speeded up and then braked at the entrance to the school after the youngsters stood up to get off.

He said pupils had described Mr Dale as seeming to be impatient and in a bad mood, and said he had sworn at them.

The youngsters said Mr Dale had a hands-free mobile phone kit and they thought he was writing a text message while driving.

One pupil asked him not to do it and threatened to report him, but was given "very short shrift. He was quite rude and abusive".

The court heard that Mr Dale said he was in a good mood, denied using his phone during the journey - although he did send a text message after he stopped at the school - and claimed pupils were running about the bus.

He denied braking harshly and said the turning into the school was tight. He did not see any injured pupils and denied swearing at anyone.

Mr Newcombe said the prosecution maintained Mr Dale's driving fell "far below the standard of a competent and careful driver by texting on the bus when told not to and by braking harshly."

The trial continues.