Hunter with lifelong hunting ban handed three-year prison term after shooting protected birds<\/p>\n
A man who had been banned from hunting for life six years ago was sentenced to three years in prison after shooting at protected birds and injuring a police officer.<\/p>\n
Simon Camilleri admitted to charges of illegal hunting, possessing an unlicensed firearm, and causing slight injuries to a police officer.<\/p>\n
A court heard how BirdLife Malta had reported a masked man firing at protected birds in an area between Marsascala and Żabbar.<\/p>\n
As two officers approached, the suspect discarded his gun into a field and tried to escape. They eventually arrested him, but he attempted to flee again, leading to one officer slipping on a ramp and sustaining slight injuries.<\/p>\n
Police later found that Camilleri did not have valid hunting or firearm licences, and the gun’s serial number had been removed. He had already been under a lifelong hunting ban since 2020.<\/p>\n
Camilleri pleaded guilty to the charges.<\/p>\n
His lawyer said he was overly consumed by his hobby, describing it as an unhealthy obsession.<\/p>\n
However, the prosecuting inspector clarified that the weapon had been thrown further away into the field.<\/p>\n
The court sentenced Camilleri to three years in prison, imposed a fine of €8,000, and ordered the confiscation of his firearm.<\/p>\n
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