THE boisterous youngsters boarded the Number 24 bus in the Acklam area of Middlesbrough and their presence was felt immediately.

Half of the 30 young passengers did not pay. One repeatedly banged on the panel behind the driver, Deborah White, 41, while another threw a can at her.

Coins were flung and alarms were set off, causing the emergency doors to open.

According to Mrs White, these chaotic scenes were common.

But last year, Jamie Wells paid with his life when he tried to flee the anarchy and fell under the wheels of the bus.

After the court case, Mrs White launched an attack on her former employers, Stagecoach.

She said: "They were aware that children had been opening and closing doors and emergency exits, as well as spitting, swearing and being generally abusive and obstructive towards passengers on previous occasions, yet they did not take any steps to help the drivers.

"I was placed in a dangerous environment. I felt intimidated and frightened for my safety."

Stagecoach North-East's managing director, John Conroy, said: "Every single one of our drivers is given comprehensive training before they get behind the wheel of one of our buses.

"One fundamental rule included as part of that training and as part of the driving theory test, is that buses should never be driven with the doors open.

"Unfortunately, our drivers face instances of having to deal with unacceptable behaviour by an unruly minority of schoolchildren. This is a problem for all bus operators across the country, as well as on this particular route, where it had tragic consequences.

"Stagecoach gives clear guidance to drivers on what to do when faced with those situations and the advice is to stop the vehicle and summon assistance."

Mike Brider, of the Transport and General Workers' Union, said drivers face verbal and physical abuse daily.

He said: "Schools, local authorities and bus companies must come together, not just to make sure that the bus services remain efficient, but to safeguard the interests of the people who are delivering the service."

Terry Bladen, of teaching union NASUWT, said staff were advised not to get involved outside school.

But Keith Cotgrave, headteacher of Bishop Barrington School, in Bishop Auckland, County Durham, said: "Bad behaviour on buses is an issue and it is difficult to manage."