A Mellieha hunter appeared in court yesterday to answer charges of shooting at storks, while the hunting season is closed.

Twenty-four-year-old Duncan Joseph Mangion pleaded not guilty to hunting storks on 30 May 2005.

He was also accused of using illegal shot which is more than 3.2 mm in diameter.

The accused was also charged with having various stuffed and live protected species of birds in his possession. Police inspector Alexander Miruzzi prosecuted.