Christian Gauci, aged 27 of Mellieha, was today fined €4,685, banned from hunting for three years and had his gun confiscated by the Magistrates’ Court in Malta

Gauci and Carl Borg, aged 30, also of Mellieha, were accused in court on Sunday of having on the 18th April 2013 at around 1.30pm, in the Natura 2000 Nature Reserve, a loaded firearm in their possession in a place where hunting is not permitted and also for hunting or trying to hunt birds in a bird sanctuary, among other charges. Both had been wearing masks at the time.

Christian Gauci alone was also accused of relapsing. Christian Gauci had pleaded guilty as charged and Carl Borg pleaded not guilty.

The court noted that the accused had already previously been convicted twice with hunting-related offences. The judge said that the fact Gauci was hunting in a nature reserve meant for the public’s recreation, as well as being hooded, could have translated into a prison term, but the prosecution and the defence had reached an agreement, so the court decided on a heavy fine.

The prosecution in this case was led by Inspector Ramon Mercieca.

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