Three months in prison for man who shot lapwing

Shaun Demicoli, 37, of Birzebbuga, who shot and injured a lapwing today, changed his not guilty plea to guilty and has sentenced to three months in prison. His gun has been confiscated and his hunter’s licence has been suspended for three years.

He has appealed the verdict and will begin serving his prison sentence only if it is confirmed on appeal.

His excuse was that he didn’t know it is against the law to shoot lapwings in spring. He must have missed the entire gist of the Yes/No referendum debate then, in which it was made very clear that only turtle doves and quail may be shot in the spring hunting season.

But then as a long-time hunter, he would definitely know that.

Demicoli served a seven-month prison term for assaulting a policeman who issued him with parking tickets. He is also facing trial for the attempted murder of a Tunisian man last year.

He and his brother Charles were also involved in a bar-room brawl in Birzebbuga some years ago in which a Filippino sailor was killed.

Shaun Demicoli has just been employed as a driver of public buses. He appeared in court wearing his bus-driver’s uniform.