A hunter has been found guilty of illegally shooting at a protected golden oriole, with video evidence and eyewitness testimony used to secure a conviction in a case described as setting a strong precedent.

Gilmour Stellini, of Xemxija, was fined €2,300, suspended from holding a hunting licence for a year and had his shot-gun confiscated.

The incident was filmed by a Birdlife Malta Spring Watch team on April 26, 2012 at Wied ta’ Kandja, Ħandaq.

It shows the police can successfully prosecute for the intent to shoot a protected bird

It was also witnessed by Dutch, English and Maltese volunteers, who identified the accused in court.

Magistrate Anthony Vella presided over the case.

Christian Debono, Birdlife’s conservation and policy officer, said that the video evidence – in the absence of a carcass – clearly showed the accused shooting at a golden oriole.

The case established a strong precedent for where protected birds had been targeted, he said.

“We’re very pleased with the outcome. Not only does it highlight the value of video evidence in prosecuting the illegal shooting of protected birds, it shows that the police can successfully prosecute for the intent to shoot a protected bird, even if the bird may not have been killed.”

During the 2012 spring hunting season the police reported three confirmed cases of shooting at protected birds, while Birdlife claims to have recorded 72 such incidents in the same period.

Seventeen of these involved the targeting of golden orioles.