A Dutch tourist yesterday burst out crying in court and said that a bus ride was “horrible” when she described a trip to Tarxien which ended up in her falling off the bus and onto the pavement.

Maria Francesca Bank was testifying before magistrate Antonio Mizzi during the arraignment of bus driver Anthony Xerri, 64, from Fgura who is charged with driving a bus recklessly and slightly injuring Mrs Bank on Tuesday.

Mr Xerri, who is pleading not guilty to the charges, is also charged with damaging Mrs Bank’s glasses, which she valued at over e1,000.

Mrs Bank told the court that she and her husband decided to visit the Tarxien temples and caught the bus from Valletta. She said that Mr Xerri was aggressive and rude all throughout the trip.

She explained that they sat down towards the front of the bus and asked a woman sitting behind them when to get off the bus. When the bus moved towards the inner lane and stopped, Mrs Bank said that her husband got off the bus but added that the bus started moving when she was getting off, catapulting her to the pavement.

Mrs Bank burst into tears and said that she did not feel safe at all throughout the whole trip and that it was horrible.

Police Inspector Priscilla Caruana prosecuted while Dr Nicole Vella appeared for Mr Xerri. The case continues.