A hit-and-run driver who ran over and killed a 75-year-old pedestrian on a zebra crossing was yesterday jailed for a year and a half and banned from driving for a year.

Raymond Borg, 41, was driving through The Strand in Gżira on August 13, 2006 at about 10.45 a.m. when he hit an elderly man, Albert Navarro.

Three witnesses - Andy Borg, Mario Friggieri and Louis Scicluna - saw the accident and Mr Borg recorded the car's registration number. They called the police and the emergency services to the scene.

Mr Navarro suffered a fractured skull and died in hospital as a direct result of the injuries he had sustained, court-appointed medical experts said.

All three witnesses testified that the driver of a white Hyundai Excel slowed down straight after the impact but then took off; leaving the victim on the ground. They all heard screeching tyres just before the moment of impact and then saw the victim flying over the car's bonnet.

They said the driver was not travelling at speed but Mr Scicluna recalled the traffic lights being red before the victim was hit.

Mr Borg said in court he was driving in the area at the time of the accident and did not realise he had hit someone. When questioned about the damage to his car, he said a friend had borrowed it and had been involved in an accident.

Magistrate Audrey Demicoli did not believe him, saying that, on the basis of the account given by the three eyewitnesses, she was morally convinced that Mr Borg was the person who had run over and caused the victim's death.

The fact that he was responsible for the accident by not following traffic regulations and had driven away afterwards warranted a jail term. She ordered that the driving ban would start running from the moment he left prison.

Police Inspector Romina Veneziani prosecuted.

Lawyers José Herrera and Veronique Dalli appeared for Mr Borg.