Update: Hunter, Shaun Demicoli of Birzebbuga was arraigned in court this afternoon before Magistrate Claire Stafrace Zammit, over the shooting of a protected bird early this morning in Benghajsa, Birzebbuga.

He pleaded guilty to shooting a Lapwing, protected during the spring hunting season, and admitted to breaching earlier bail conditions in 2 cases and being a relapser. One of cases referred to includes the attempted murder of a male Tunisian national.

Demicoli’s lawyer told the court that the accused did not know that this species of bird was not able to be hunted in spring.

The court sentenced Demicoli to 3 months in jail, he had his shotgun confiscated, his hunting licence was suspended for 3 years and fined €200 for the breach of his bail conditions.

However, Demicoli is appealing his sentence and was able to walk out of court. His jail term will only come into force following the decision of the appeal hearing.

The Police said this afternoon that this is the second successful illegal hunting investigation in as many days. Yesterday, a man, 43, was also caught after committing a similar crime. He was subsequently fined €2,500, had his shotgun and ammunition confiscated and his licence suspended for three-and-a-half years.

The FKNK has said in a statement that it was other hunters who had reported the offender, and that he was not a member of the FKNK.

Therefore it urged other associations to suspend him, if he was a member, and cancel membership if he was found guilty in the court.

The Federation said that criminals would not have any place among legal hunters on the islands. It also reiterated the appeal for the public to report any infringements to the Police on telephone number 119.

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