A SCHOOL bus driver who hurt 12 children by slamming the brakes when pupils would not stop ringing the bell has kept his licence.

Roger Wells, 63, was transporting pupils from Uplands Community College, in Wadhurst, but lost his temper when the bell kept being pressed.

Lewes Crown Court heard how pupils were thrown about the double-decker bus when he hit the brakes.

The bus came to a sudden halt with a 12-year-old boy hurled against a window causing it to crack.

Wells, of Wadhurst, was convicted of careless and inconsiderate driving following a trial.

He was ordered to pay £1,600 and given ten penalty points - meaning he would be able to keep his driving licence.

Judge Janet Waddicor told him: “I’m not going to disqualify you.

“Had there been serious injuries, no doubt you would have been charged with a more serious offence.”

Wells was taking pupils home on October 17, 2018, when he flew into a rage as one of his passengers constantly rang the bell.

He told the 98 children on his overloaded bus that he would take them back to school if they did not stop.

When the threat failed, Wells slammed the brakes.

A pole on the lower deck was ripped out, injuring youngsters.

Wells stepped over children who had been thrown to the floor and replaced the pole before shouting at them again.

Judge Waddicor told Wells said: “The children were messing around on the bus.

“Whatever it was that prompted you to brake very severely, there were important consequences for the children.

“Many were thrown about.”

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Afterwards, Wells performed a U-turn and drove the bus back to school.

Wells, who has 40 years experience of driving buses, admitted failing to stop and failing to report an accident to the police.

Judge Waddicor added: “You were aware of all of these injuries.

“You ought to have reported it to the police.

“You have said you were unaware of the obligation.

“It surprises me a man who has passed no end of tests and with 40 years experience should be ignorant of that requirement.”

Judge Waddicor said Wells had continued to drive without committing any further offences since the incident

She told Wells that she would keep the points on his licence to the minimum.

The judge also criticised the school handling of pupil travel and said buses were regularly overcrowded.

She said: “The school arrangements for boarding the bus were slapdash at best.

“The parents have repeatedly expressed their concerns to the school.

“Somebody ought to be sorting it out sharpish.

Wells was given seven points for careless and inconsiderate driving and a further three points for failing to report an accident.

He was given fines of £750 and £250.

Wells was also told to pay £600 costs.