An overweight coach driver caused £260,000 of damage to Carshalton High Street after swerving at a group of children taunting him about his weight.

Colin Scott, 52, slammed into cars and buildings in Carshalton High Street when he lost control of his vehicle on August 27 2010.

Amazingly there were only minor injuries caused during the crash, which happened after Scott lurched his coach towards a group of children on the pavement.

Croydon Crown Court heard that professional driver Scott lost his temper after children on a bus in front of his West Bus coach were goading him by sticking out their tongues and making V signs.

CCTV footage showed the group of a dozen children, aged between 11 and 14, getting out at a stop on Carshalton High Street and continuing to abuse the driver calling him a "fat b******".

Initially, Scott reacted by returning V signs to the youngsters who were running alongside the vehicle, but became angry when the kids shouted "how fat is your wife".

Scott, from Reading, aggressively veered his coach at the children to give them a warning, but they continued to mock his weight.

The court heard Scott "lost his mind" and persisted in swerving at the youngsters despite being in busy bank holiday weekend traffic and on a narrow high street.

On the final swerve, Scott tried to overcompensate and the coach, which was transporting five John Lewis staff from a training day, careered into oncoming traffic, causing a six car pile up and damage to three buildings.

Nick Henderson, a John Lewis employee, whose statement was read out in court said: "I shouted at the driver to stop when he hit buildings. He only stopped when a road sign came through the windscreen and I was thrown to the floor. He had snapped and lost his mind. He was blaming everyone but himself, but I blame him."

Miss Kathy Hirst, defence lawyer said: “This was an extraordinary incident, and Mr Scott has been struggling to come to terms with what happened.

Many people were frightened but not injured. Mr Scott has an unblemished record as a coach driver of 10 years. He a is caring person who supports his mother and father and enjoys working with people. Mr Scott simply lost control.”

Recorder A Campbell - Tiech QC disqualified Scott from driving for three years, ordered him to pay £500 costs and ordered to do 200 hours of unpaid work.

He said: "You were driving so far below the average standards of a competent bus driver. Count yourself fortunate, for you are. Prison is not called for, but don't let me down."