Coach firm in the dock

A COACH hire firm is facing trial accused of employing drivers who were not properly licensed or insured.

Cramond Coaches, based in West Harbour Road, Granton, pleaded not guilty to 20 separate charges at Edinburgh Sheriff Court yesterday.

Among the charges was allegedly having three drivers who did not hold appropriate licences to drive minibuses in August last year.

Cramond Coaches is further accused of refusing to provide company and driver records to a police officer conducting an inspection at its premises in September last year.

The firm is also charged with failing to install a fire extinguisher and first aid kit in a bus.

A spokesman said the firm was “100 per cent confident” of being found not guilty.

Trial was set for September.