Anthony Taliana, the man accused of the involuntary homicide of cyclist Cliff Micallef was this morning granted bail and placed under house arrest against a deposit of €1,500 and a personal guarantee of €5,000.

The decision was taken by Magistrate Audrey Demicoli during the compilation of evidence.

Micallef, who was training for the LifeCycle challenge, died on the spot when he was hit by a car allegedly driven by Taliana on July 30 at the Bahar ic-Caghaq coastroad.

A woman who was with Mr Taliana in the car, Natasha Chesney, 17 from the UK, told the court this morning that she had not seen the cyclist before the accident took place. She panicked when the accident took place and started screaming.

She said that Taliana was also under shock.

She said that Taliana had taken a couple of drinks before they drove off from Paceville but he had not needed assistance to get to their car and he had been driving in his proper lane. She confirmed he did not call for assistance after the accident happened because he was in a panic.

Inspector Kevin Farrugia in his evidence, said Mr Taliana was identified because the bumper of his car fell on the road at the scene of the incident. The car belonged to the father of the accused.

The case continues.

Mr Taliana is also accused of careless and dangerous driving, driving under the influence of alcohol and without insurance, failing to stop after causing an accident, and relapsing.