A young carpenter yesterday denied critically injuring his friend through negligence in a hunting accident on Wednesday.

Darren Bonnici, 28, was arraigned a day after his friend Kyle Gili, 20, was found lying in a patch of grass with extensive gunshot wounds to the head in a field between Żabbar and Vittoriosa.

Clearly devastated by the outcome of what was simply meant to have been a morning out with his friend, Mr Bonnici was also accused of hunting in a bird sanctuary.

He was granted bail against a personal guarantee of €5,000 by Magistrate Consuelo Scerri Herrera following a request by defence lawyer Anġlu Farrugia. Police Inspector Jesmond Borg, who prosecuted, did not object.

Mr Bonnici cooperated during investigations and was on the scene throughout the onsite inquiry.

Mr Gili is stable but still in intensive care at Mater Dei Hospital.

A doctor at the emergency department certified that he suffered injuries that could cause permanent disfigurement and brain damage.

It is understood Mr Gili cannot be questioned by the police yet.