A MINIBUS driver charged with causing the death of a Gwent schoolgirl by dangerous driving was warned to slow down just seconds earlier, a court heard.

Jasmine Allen, 12, was killed in the crash as the bus travelled to Newbridge Comprehensive School on May 16 last year.

Cardiff crown court was told yesterday Christopher Cushing tried to "antagonise" the child who warned him, by "messing about" with the minibus' steering wheel.

But it was said Cushing then lost control of the minibus and it overturned on the A472, on the hill between Hafodyrynys and Crumlin.

Cushing, 38, of Ash Place, Bargoed, denies causing her death by dangerous driving.

Caroline Rees, prosecuting, said the accident happened as Jasmine and several other Newbridge Comprehensive pupils were being driven to school.

She said the firm with the contract for transporting the children was A1 Minibuses, operated by Jason Brewer, a friend of Cushing.

"Mr Cushing was not a regular driver but occasionally helped out when one of the regular minibus drivers was not available," said Ms Rees. She added that on the morning of the accident, Cushing was asked by Mr Brewer to do the school run, and that he went to get the keys, then collected bus escort Elaine Arthur.

"He then went to pick up the children," she said. "Nine got on, including Jasmine Allen. None put on seat belts. The defendant did not tell them to." She added two more children were picked up at the Hafodyrynys Inn and the minibus then set off towards Newbridge Comprehensive.

Mrs Rees, in her opening prosecution statement, said the jury would hear evidence that one of the passengers, a teenage girl, asked Cushing to slow down.

"The defendant turned and told her he was only doing 50mph and sought to antagonise her by moving about the steering wheel and deliberately moving from side to side," she said.

"The prosecution say this fell far below the standards expected of a careful and competent driver."

Ms Rees said the messing about developed into "serious swerves" and the minibus crossed the lanes of the A472 and collided with a car. The driver could not remember any details of the accident, she said, only being cut from her vehicle. A passing paramedic tried to help Jasmine and she was taken to the Royal Gwent Hospital. She died that morning. Proceeding