A Mosta teenager yesterday denied seriously injuring an elderly pedestrian who was crossing the road when he hit him with his motorised bike.

Police Inspector Pricilla Caruana told Magistrate Antonio Vella that Ezekiel Xuereb, 19, ran over Oscar Attard in Fleur-de-Lys Road, Birkirkara, on July 10, 2013.

She alleged that Mr Xuereb jumped a red light while riding a motorised bicycle, which had not been registered with Transport Malta. He also stands charged with driving the bike in a negligent manner and without keeping a proper lookout for pedestrians.

Robert Gauci, a pedestrian, said he had waited for the traffic lights to turn red and, while he was crossing, heard a loud noise and suddenly saw Mr Attard on the ground with a serious head injury.

He said Mr Attard was not crossing on the zebra crossing but was between two and three metres away.

The prosecuting officer said the front wheel of the bike was bent on impact. She said Mr Attard was seriously injured and was, for some time, in critical condition.

She said Mr Xuereb told the police the lights were still amber when he drove past, adding that he had not yet registered the bike because he had just bought it.

Defence lawyers Michael and Lucio Sciriha argued that the motorised bicycles were still not regulated at the time the incident occurred and it was only later that regulations were drawn up.

The case continues next month.