A young Italian lorry driver was last night awaiting release from Bullingdon Prison after being bailed in the sum of £10,000 following a fatal crash near Abingdon.

Cyclist Robert Hutchings, 56, of Norman Way, Abingdon, died in the John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, following a collision involving an articulated lorry driven by Andrea Boldori(OK), 26, of Cremona, Italy, on Monday.

The crash happened on the northbound carriageway of the A34 at 9.20am as Mr Hutchings, a computer expert, was on his way to work in Oxford.

Boldori was later arrested and charged with four offences, including driving the Scania lorry with the braking system in a dangerous condition, and not maintaining the brakes in good and efficient working order, as well as having defective brakes on the lorry cab tractor and on the trailer.

Yesterday (Thursday)Didcot magistrates granted bail with a condition that a £10,000 security(OK) was lodged with the court.

Boldori was remanded to appear again on September 24. However, he was told he would have to remain in custody until the sum was deposited with the court, and his solicitor Catherine Newey said meanwhile arrangements were being made for his Italian employers Ghisoni Fausto(OK) to transfer the money as soon as possible.

Boldori spoke through an interpreter during the hour-long magistrates' hearing when the court was told Boldori is employed by a small transport company in Italy which was sub contracted to a much larger company TFE/AGN/Milan.

Shelley Cranshaw, prosecuting, asked for the remand while police continued their inquiries.

Earlier, an inquest was opened by Oxfordshire Coroner Nicholas Gardiner and adjourned to a date to be arranged.

Mr Hutchings was married with a grown-up son and daughter.

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