Hunter who shot kestrel is released on bail, pending appeal

24-year-old Kirsten Mifsud from Bormla, nicknamed il-Benghazi, had been found guilty of shooting the protected bird which then fell in the schoolyard of St. Edward’s College on Monday 27 April. 

Kirsten Mifsud, who was sentenced to one year in prison for shooting a kestrel, has been released on bail pending an appeal.
Kirsten Mifsud, who was sentenced to one year in prison for shooting a kestrel, has been released on bail pending an appeal.

The hunter who last week was fined and jailed for a year for shooting a protected species, a kestrel, an incident which led to the closure of the hunting season, has been granted bail pending an appeal.

24-year-old Kirsten Mifsud from Bormla, nicknamed il-Benghazi, had been found guilty of shooting the protected bird which then fell in the schoolyard of St. Edward’s College on Monday 27 April.

Magistrate Francesco Depasquale had fined him €5,000, confiscated his shotgun, disqualified him from holding a hunting licence and jailed him for a year. 

However, due to the fact that he had filed an appeal, Mifsud was entitled to bail until the appeal was heard.

Judge David Scicluna, in his decree granting Mifsud bail this morning, pointed out that the Attorney General had not opposed the accused’s request for bail.

The bail conditions imposed include a deposit of €3,000 and a personal guarantee of €4,000. The court also ordered the accused to sign a bail book three times a week, observe a curfew and not to approach or communicate with any witnesses.

Inspector Jurgen Vella is prosecuting, while lawyers Noel Bianco and Jason Grima are appearing for Mifsud.