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.

Simon Camilleri admitted to charges of illegal hunting, possessing an unlicensed firearm, and causing slight injuries to a police officer.

A court heard how BirdLife Malta had reported a masked man firing at protected birds in an area between Marsascala and Żabbar.

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.

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.

Camilleri pleaded guilty to the charges.

His lawyer said he was overly consumed by his hobby, describing it as an unhealthy obsession.

However, the prosecuting inspector clarified that the weapon had been thrown further away into the field.

The court sentenced Camilleri to three years in prison, imposed a fine of €8,000, and ordered the confiscation of his firearm.