A hunter yesterday denied injuring a Dutch teenager who suffered shotgun wounds to his leg while birdwatching.

David Galea, 33, of Ġżira, was charged with injuring the 16-year-old boy in Pembroke on Friday morning.

Before Magistrate Gabriella Vella, Mr Galea also pleaded not guilty to threatening the boy and relapsing.

Police Inspector Trevor Micallef said police were informed that a teenager holidaying in Malta had been admitted to Mater Dei Hospital on Friday after he was injured by shotgun pellets.

Prior to sustaining shotgun wounds, it is alleged that Mr Galea verbally abused and slapped the boy – who left Malta with his family yesterday – for taking photos of him.

Mr Galea was yesterday arrested by the Administrative and Law Enforcement unit of the police who were out on patrol in the countryside. They recognised him from the photo passed on to them by the boy, Mr Micallef said. Magistrate Vella granted bail against a deposit of €300 and personal guarantee of €2,000.

It is alleged that he verbally abused and slapped the boy

Hunting has been under the spotlight since the pro-hunting camp won a referendum on spring hunting by a wafer-thin majority on April 11.

Just days after the result, two hunters admitted illegally shooting protected birds.

Shaun Demicoli was fined €200 for injuring a lapwing and breaching bail conditions. He also is facing charges of the attempted murder of a Tunisian man. His hunting licence was suspended for three years.

His arraignment followed that of Stefan Micallef, who shot a protected cuckoo in Manikata. He was filmed by Birdlife volunteers trying to hide the bird under a bush.

Mr Micallef, who claimed he mistook the cuckoo for a turtle dove, was fined €2,500 and his licence was suspended for three-and-a-half years. His shotgun and ammunition were also seized.