A hunter yesterday denied trying to hurt two police officers by driving his Land Rover at them.

Two policemen in a mobile squad car noticed a man following them in his vehicle. They stopped to confront him and the man hit the gas pedal and drove in their direction, sources said. He did not hit them.

Melvin Fenech, 24, of Dingli pleaded not guilty to disobeying police orders and resisting officers on Sunday at about 6.30 p.m. in Rabat.

He also pleaded not guilty to failing to observe the conditions laid down in his hunting licence by carrying a loaded shotgun and 116 cartridges in his car.

Mr Fenech was further accused of being in possession of hunting-related items, such as recorded bird tunes, when the hunting season was closed, and of relapsing. Magistrate Consuelo Scerri Herrera granted Mr Fenech bail against a deposit of €500 and a personal guarantee of €1,000.

Police Inspector Stephen Micallef prosecuted.

Lawyer Mark Anthony Zammit Cutajar appeared for Mr Fenech.