Failed to keep shotgun in a safe place

A man from Mgarr was yesterday given a two-month jail term suspended for a year for failing to keep his licensed shotgun in a safe place where others could not access it and carrying it when not licensed to.

Magistrate Consuelo Scerri Herrera heard how Angelo Muscat, a watchman, had placed his licensed shotgun, a Luigi Franci, in his van from where it was stolen in August 2003.

But although Muscat was licensed to possesses the shotgun he was not licensed to carry it around and had failed to keep it in a safe place by leaving it in his van.

Magistrate Scerri Herrera cleared Muscat, 41, of the illegal possession of a second gun - a Geado Model 23 air gun - after hearing that it was found at his parents' house and, for this reason, she was not satisfied that the weapon belonged to him.

Police Inspector Stephen Mallia prosecuted.