Two men who separately pleaded guilty to their involvement in the incidents that occurred in Valletta during the hunters’ protest earlier this month were yesterday fined Lm500 between them.

The incidents took place on 7 March in Valletta. During this protest, journalists and photographers were assaulted and photographic equipment was destroyed and stolen during the mayhem. The men were charged in court on Friday.

Massimo Bartolo, 22, from Birkirkara, pleaded guilty to letting off petards and other pyrotechnic material without being in possession of a licence, disobeying police orders, forming part of a group of more than 10 people with the intention of committing a crime, refusing to supply the police with his particulars and breaching the peace.

Bartolo was fined Lm300, which he was allowed to pay in Lm20 monthly installments over a period of time.

In another sitting, Stephen Caruana, 26, from St Paul’s Bay, pleaded guilty to being in possession of a wooden rifle during the protest, which although non-functional as a firearm, still needs to be declared with the Police Commissioner. He also pleaded guilty to forming part of a group of more than 10 people with the intention of committing a crime. Caruana was fined Lm200.

Police Inspectors Pierre Micallef Grimaud and Anthony Portelli prosecuted in both cases while Dr Matthew Brincat appeared for the accused.