Hunter acquitted

An appeal court has cleared a Gharghur man of hunting during the close season after ruling that the mere fact that a covered shotgun was found in a hunter's car after the time for hunting had elapsed did not in itself constitute a crime, as long as the car was in motion.

Mr Justice Joseph Galea Debono acquitted Mark Borg, 26, of hunting on September 21 at about 12.15 p.m. He was also charged with the possession of a shotgun in these circumstances.

Mr Justice Galea Debono noted that hunting that day (a public holiday) was meant to cease at noon and Borg was stopped at 12.15 p.m.

But the prosecution declared that the mere fact of Borg driving along with a covered shotgun stowed away in the car did not in itself constitute a crime because the time for hunting had elapsed, as long as the car was in motion.

Mr Justice Galea Debono took note of the prosecution's declaration and acquitted Borg.