The man who was driving a car which crashed on the rocks off the Coast Road early on Saturday, killing an 18-year-old woman, was arraigned in court this morning and accused of involuntary homicide.

Clint Xuereb, 22 of Naxxar, was accused of the involuntary homicide of Yana Scerri of St Paul’s Bay, and careless and dangerous driving under the influence of alcohol.

He was also accused of driving at an excessive speed, breaching a probation order and relapsing.

He pleaded not guilty.

Police Inspector Elton Taliana told the court that the prosecution was opposing bail because of the seriousness of this case.

He said the prosecution wanted to send a clear message that drinking and driving were unacceptable.

However, defence lawyers Edward Zammit Lewis and Adrian Camilleri argued that their client was presumed innocent until proven guilty and at this stage the prosecution could not ask for bail to be denied on the premise that it wanted to send a message to society.

The lawyers said that their client had cooperated fully with the police and the only witnesses were court-appointed experts.

Bail was granted against a personal guarantee of €8,000 and a deposit of €2,000.