Two trappers have been sentenced to a conditional discharge for one year after being found guilty of assaulting and slightly injuring two BirdLife Malta staff members three years ago near Magħtab.
The incident involved an unprovoked assault, during which a BirdLife Malta team walking along a public road near a boatyard in Magħtab was suddenly followed and attacked by a father and son. The BirdLife Malta team had been in the area reporting illegal trapping at Għallis, to which the police had responded.
As the team headed back on foot towards their vehicle, two men exited the boatyard, hurling abuse and filming them. At this point, one team member began recording the incident out of concern for the team’s safety. Reacting to the use of the phone, one trapper grabbed a team member, attempting to seize her phone and causing her slight injuries in the process. The son then turned on a second team member, pushing her against a rubble wall and attempting to punch her, also causing slight injuries.
The incident was reported to Naxxar Police Station, with evidence including medical certificates for both injured staff members, as well as photographic evidence from the scene. In her ruling yesterday, Magistrate Yana Micallef Stafrace found both men guilty of injuring the team. However, the court acquitted them of charges related to pushing, verbal abuse, and threats, as the Executive Police failed to provide evidence that the assailants were duly notified within the three-month period established by law. As a result, these charges were considered time-barred. Joseph Grech and Carmel Grech were given a conditional discharge for one year.
Reacting to the verdict, BirdLife Malta CEO Mark Sultana stated: “BirdLife Malta is well-versed with the laws and regulations, and we adhere to them, along with our internal protocols designed to safeguard the wellbeing of our team members in the field. The least we expect is full cooperation from the police when such incidents occur to ensure justice is served. The lack of evidence proving that the culprits were notified in time has allowed them to evade the full consequences of their unacceptable actions. A letter will be sent to the Commissioner of Police regarding this matter.” BirdLife Malta extends its gratitude to Dr Stephen Tonna Lowell and Dr Ana Thomas, who acted as parte civile in the case.
You can read our press release in Maltese here.