A bus driver denies charges relating to his driving prior to a crash while carrying youngsters to a school.
Robert Dale, 57, is alleged to have been texting a message on his mobile phone at the time of the accident, outside Staindrop Comprehensive School, near Barnard Castle, County Durham.
One school girl suffered a broken arm and others received minor injures as a result of the incident, in Cleatlam Lane, Staindrop.
Mr Dale, who was driving a Go NorthEast double deck bus from Evenwood to the school, appeared at Durham Crown Court yesterday.
He pleaded 'not guilty' to a charge of causing bodily harm by wanton and furious driving.
Mr Dale also denied dangerous driving, stemming from the accident on Thursday February 5.
The hearing was adjourned for a trial of around three days at the court next month.
Mr Dale, of Ashfield, Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, was bailed to return for the trial, scheduled to start on September 20.
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