he claimed drove him off his motorcycle.

Walter Dabberdt and his wife Meredith accused truck driver Keith Smith of running them off Salt Kettle Road, Paget, in September.

Smith 41, of Cedar Avenue, denies the charge of driving without reasonable consideration.

He was ready to give his evidence in Magistrates' Court yesterday until lawyer for the Dabberdt's Mr. Justin Williams revealed Dabberdt had insisted on flying out from Colorado to give evidence in the case.

Smith's lawyer Mr. Myron Simmons said: "Is this the type of case really worth the expense of bringing a witness from America?'' Mr. Williams stated that the Government would not foot the bill of bringing Dabberdt into the Islands.

He said: "He is paying for the trip at his own expense. He feels it is a matter of principle.'' Prosecuting Sgt. Earl Kirby asked that Senior Magistrate the Wor. Will Francis re-open the prosecution case. Mr. Francis agreed that Dabberdt is a key witness in the case and agreed to Sgt. Kirby's demands.

One witness has already said that Smith had crossed the central line of the narrow road near to the Glencoe Harbour Club.

Mr. and Mrs. Dabberdt were found in the road with their livery cycle on top of them, the court heard. Mr. Dabberdt suffered a broken arm.

Smith told Police he tooted his horn twice. The bike was out of control when he saw it approaching so he slowed down, he said. They "wiggled'' past him and he later looked in his mirror and saw them fall.

He said they shouted at him, saying he ran them off the road and into a wall.

He replied: "You are a f...ing liar. I didn't run you into the wall, you fell into the road.'' Mr. Francis had made an earlier judgement that Smith had a case to answer from the Police evidence.

He adjourned the case until Friday, August 6.