A young bus driver was yesterday charged with driving his car carelessly and grievously harming two teenagers, when he veered off the road a few metres away from a zebra crossing.

The 21-year-old man from Qormi pleaded guilty to involuntarily causing serious injuries to a 13-year old and slightly injuring a 16-year-old while driving at excessive speed.

David Attard was in his Volkswagen in St Sebastian Street, Qormi, on Saturday afternoon. Defence lawyer Edward Gatt said he lost control, climbed onto a pavement and hit the teenagers, slamming one of them against a metal door.

The 13-year-old ended up with three broken toes and may have to have one of them amputated.

Dr Gatt noted that his client was a first-time offender and argued for the minimum penalty.

However, Senior Police Inspector Joseph Agius pointed out that the vehicle’s break marks measured 43.8 metres and the crash took place five metres away from a zebra crossing.

He said it was important that the accused learn from his mistakes so as not to repeat them. A car, he said, was a weapon and not a toy.

Mr Attard was granted bail against a personal guarantee of €1,500.

He will be sentenced today.