Killer bus driver jailed

Tempers flared in court today as a bus driver who crushed a four-year-old boy beneath the wheels of his double-decker was jailed for two-and-a-half-years.

Paul Moses was filmed as he careered across the road and did nothing to stop his Routemaster bus mounting the pavement, plunging through railings and dragging the youngster to his death.

Little Donte Byron, who had been walking hand-in-hand with his mother, died instantly.

Samantha Byron, who was seven months pregnant, suffered shock and an injured leg.

But after the 27-year-old driver was led mumbling from the dock at Inner London Crown Court, one of his friends tried to address the judge.

He repeatedly shouted across the court: "Can I ask you a question?" But the boy's father, accountant Dennis Seeley, rose and quickly walked over to him swearing and insisting: "No you can't."

Officers promptly moved forward to keep the two sides apart.

Once outside, Mr Seeley spent five minutes discussing matters with the unnamed man in a side room.

Everyone later left peacefully. But the boy's father said: "It is a weak sentence."

Moses, of Reginald Road, Deptford, south London, had insisted he was not to blame for what he called a "mad accident", claiming a wasp had flown into his cabin and momentarily distracted him.

But jurors unanimously convicted him of causing death by dangerous driving on August 7, 2002.