than a year later, may have to be held in hospital.

Jerome Pitcher, 40, could be paralysed from the neck down, Magistrates Court heard yesterday.

If he has to give evidence in hospital it will be the first such case in recent memory.

Shawn Antoine Simmons, 21, is accused of causing him actual bodily harm by dangerous driving. He denies the charge.

Pitcher, of Texas Road, St. David's, has been in hospital since Saturday, July 18 last year.

He was involved in a bike smash at the corner of Palmetto Road and Bishop Spencer Road, just after 9 p.m.

He has daily treatment to try to improve his condition, prosecutor Sgt. Peter Giles told the court. "I understand he is probably paralysed from the neck down.'' Simmons, of Sunnyside Park Lane, Southampton, suffered injuries to his jaw, left arm and left leg. He had stitches in his nose and eye.

The court heard DC Gareth Davies read a statement he said Simmons made three weeks after the crash.

Magistrate the Wor. John Judge asked The Royal Gazette not to report the contents of the statement yet, because it might not be admissible as evidence and might prejudice the case.

Sgt. Giles said he would find out if Pitcher would be able to come to court, or if the court would have to move to the hospital.

Mr. Judge told him: "If we are required to take the evidence of Mr. Pitcher I would be obliged if arrangements could be made with the hospital authorities so that this can be done with a reasonable degree of consideration for the privacy of other patients.'' The trial was adjourned until August 5. It is expected to last a day.