Hunter banned for life, handed suspended jail term

Kevin Zerafa from Zabbar has been slapped with a life ban from holding a hunting licence, handed an 18 month jail term suspended for three years and fined €1,500 after being found guilty of illegal hunting.

Zerafa was caught by police while hunting in a prohibited area, in possession of protected birds. He was also found guilty of relapsing.

Magistrate Anthony Vella who presided the court, ordered the immediate confiscation of all hunting equipment seized from Zerafa.

Meanwhile, Simon Camilleri, also from Zabbar was fined €1,500 and had his hunting licence suspended for a year after admitting to illegal hunting.

A total of 58 persons were arraigned this morning for hunting offences.

44 were found guilty and fined between €250 and €700 each, while three were acquitted.

14 others had their cases put off for another date.