Mr Farrugia told the court he had been driving along National Road in Pieta’ towards Valletta when Mr Camilleri, who was riding a bicycle, suddenly changed lanes.

Mr Farrugia said he was driving on the outer lane when suddenly, Mr Camilleri manoeuvred his bicycle from the inner, slow lane onto the one Mr Farrugia was driving along.

A police constable also took the stand during the course of the proceedings and explained that Mr Farrugia’s car had left nine metre-long brake marks and the bicycle ended up under the bonnet of the car.

The court ruled that Mr Camilleri had changed lanes imprudently, leading him to fracture his left hip. For this reason, Mr Farrugia was acquitted of any responsibility for the accident. Inspector Stephen Micallef prosecuted while magistrate Consuelo Scerri Herrera presided over the court.