'I didn't allow boy to drive bus'

The bus was travelling towards Blackwood from Tredegar and was carrying students from Crosskeys College, as well as pupils from Pontllanfraith School yesterday morning when the alleged incident occurred.

The driver told the Argus today he had let the teenage boy touch the wheel but had never allowed him to drive by himself.

Stagecoach Wales commercial director Richard Davies told the Argus two complaints were made by a parent of a Pontllanfraith School pupil yesterday.

Mr Davies said: "A child alleged that a driver verbally abused the children and let one of the youngsters take the wheel and drive the bus.

"We have to take the allegations seriously and have suspended the driver while we interview the complainants, the child and her parents.

"Our driver admits being verbally abusive but categorically denies allowing any of the children to sit in the driver's seat and drive the bus. "We are investigating the matter in accordance with our disciplinary procedure. "

Pontllanfraith head teacher Alison Stevens said: "The parent of a girl rang in and a complaint was made. Stagecoach is dealing with that complaint." A spokeswoman from Caerphilly council said they were lisiasing with the bus operator. Police are not involved in the investigation.

The driver, who has asked to remain anonymous, said the allegations were absurd.

He said: "I was on the way to Blackwood and that is when a boy started distracting me.

"He was nagging and nagging me, asking if he could drive the bus. He was very distracting and the bus swerved and I almost hit a traffic cone.

"When he wouldn't stop I let him touch the steering-wheel. I want to make it absolutely clear that at no point did the boy touch the pedals or sit in the seat.

"Both my hands remained on the wheel, inside the driver cab. "I let the boy touch the top of the wheel for no more than ten seconds. "It would be physically impossible for the boy to sit in the cab - there is no room."