A BUS driver who was suspended after he assaulted a schoolboy has been found guilty of attacking the child's mother.

Stagecoach North-East suspended Ivan Greaves, 38, last month after magistrates at Bishop Auckland, County Durham, found him guilty of assaulting a 14-year-old boy.

Durham County Council launched an investigation into the incident to determine whether Greaves, of Ruby Street, Darlington, should continue to drive a twice-daily school run.

The driver was back at the same court yesterday accused of common assault, criminal damage and using threatening words. He denied the charges.

The court heard that Greaves had gone to the Darlington home of the mother on May 13 last year and grabbed her by the throat.

When she opened the door he said things to her in an aggressive manner, it was alleged.

She said Greaves then grabbed hold of her by the throat and pushed her back into the door of the porch.

He kept hold of her throat and shouted at her to go and get her son, the court heard.

Greaves was also found guilty of damaging the woman's front door and using threatening words during the same incident.

Graham Hunsley, defending, said that Greaves had gone to the house believing that one of the woman's children had hurt his son.

Mr Hunsley said: "He accepts that he had gone around to the house. When the lady came to the door, he said to her 'Have you seen what your son has done to mine?' He did not assault her in any way that has been described."

After hearing from witnesses, magistrates found Greaves guilty of all three charges. He was given a conditional discharge for 12 months and ordered to pay £100 compensation and £100 costs.

Mr Hunsley said that Greaves will find out in the next few days if he will lose his job at Stagecoach North-East.

Richard Cranmer, of Stagecoach, said: "We are well aware of the situation. It is a domestic issue and obviously we are concerned about the incidents, but we can't get involved in incidents that do not involve us. He is still suspended."