Anthony Taliana, who stands charged with the involuntary homicide of cyclist Cliff Micallef on Coast Road on 30 July, is facing two new charges over another road accident in which a 17-year-old girl was seriously injured two years ago.

The accident, which had happened on 1 December 2007, had not been reported to the police.

Mr Taliana is pleading not guilty to driving under the influence of alcohol, failing to stop the car after hitting the cyclist, driving without insurance cover and relapsing.

Police Inspector Kevin Farrugia added two new charges yesterday, following the testimony of medical doctor Mario Scerri.

Dr Scerri told the court that he had looked into the medical history of the girl who had been injured in the 2007 accident, saying she had permanent scars on her face.

Mr Taliana, who had been driving a Mazda MX5, was charged with causing the girl serious injury by driving recklessly. He was also charged with over-speeding and negligence, and pleaded not guilty to both charges.

Meanwhile, Police Constable Luke Bugeja from the Mobile Squad told the court that he, along with another policeman, had been searching for the Opel Astra involved in the road accident on 30 July.

From the car’s registration number I could tell that the owner was from Hamrun and I knew him by sight. I had spotted the owner (the accused’s father), and the accused, in a van in Hamrun.

“We followed them and stopped them close to Pavi in Qormi. We asked the father whether he had had an accident, and he replied in the affirmative.

“He came with us and took us to the garage where the badly damaged car was, but his son did not come along. He made it seem like he was the one involved in the accident. The Hamrun district police then took over the case.”

The accused had been granted house arrest against a deposit of e1,500 and a personal guarantee of e5,000 at an earlier stage during the proceedings.

The court, presided over by Magistrate Audrey Demicoli, is waiting for a reply from the Attorney General’s Office, regarding an application filed by defence counsel Ian Farrugia, who asked for a change in bail conditions.