An Ivorian who allegedly became aggressive after he collided with another car while driving under the influence of drink claimed yesterday he could not remember what had happened because he was intoxicated.

Kaba Konate, 28, residing in Marsascala pleaded not guilty to 12 charges, including drink driving, violently resisting arrest, damaging a vehicle, assaulting police officers and swearing in public.

Defence lawyer Mark Busuttil said his client could not remember what happened because he was very drunk at the time.

Police Inspector Jesmond Borg said the incident was very serious and asked Magistrate Giovanni Grixti to refuse bail because the alleged victims lived in the area where the accident took place.

He said Mr Konate had collided with an Alfa Romeo 156 and when the driver of the Alfa Romeo got out to see what had happened, the accused became aggressive and started swearing. The police were summoned and he became aggressive in their regard too, resisting arrest.

Dr Busuttil said his experience taught him not to raise his hopes on bail when a client happened to be a foreigner but pointed out that Mr Konate had lived here since 1998 and there was no fear of him leaving. Furthermore, the accused had three children.

Magistrate Grixti asked Dr Busuttil whether his client would be able to abide by house arrest rules and the lawyer replied that it should not be a problem.

At this point, Mr Konate's Maltese wife intervened to say her husband would definitely be able to do so, adding that they had lived for some time in the YMCA homeless shelter.

Magistrate Grixti placed him under house arrest against a personal guarantee of €4,000. The accused was also ordered to sign the bail book at Żabbar police station every day.