THE family of a Gwent girl killed when her school minibus overturned are backing calls made by an Assembly Member for stiffer penalties to be imposed on people who illegally drive children on school transport.

Twelve-year-old Jasmine Allen died in an accident on the A472 Hafodrynys Road on May 12, 2005 when travelling to school.

The bus was being driven by unlicensed and uninsured driver Christopher Cushing when she died. Cushing was charged with careless driving and given a six-month driving ban and a £250 fine.

Jasmine's aunt, Caroline Tucker, has been campaigning since the sentence for an overhaul in sentencing powers.

Mrs Tucker welcomed the news that Jocelyn Davies, Plaid Cymru AM for South East Wales, has called for reform in the way drivers who illegally drive children on school transport are sentenced.

Her intervention came during a debate on road safety at the Assembly session Tuesday.

She said: "The school bus on which Jasmine Allen was travelling was being driven illegally by an unlicensed and uninsured driver.

"The penalties need to be reviewed.

"School children are not in a position to challenge the adults who are driving them on school transport and they are not in a position to satisfy themselves that the person is driving legally."

Mrs Tucker, who gathered a 2,500-signature petition calling for change, is delighted someone is trying to help.

"I one hundred per cent back Jocelyn for what she's trying to do," she said.

"The sentence the driver of Jasmine's bus received was disgusting and was nothing for what happened.

"Ever since we have been campaigning for something to have been done about changing the law.

"I know there's nothing we can do for Jasmine now but I wouldn't want any other parent to go through what we have.

"I hope she will be able to do some good."

Following the Assembly debate, the AM added: "Penalties for people who drive school transport illegally need to be made much tougher.

"People need to be reassured that their children are safe when travelling to school and that all drivers of school transport are properly licensed and insured."