The District Court in Kołobrzeg (West Pomeranian Voivodeship) sentenced a French hunter for accidentally shooting a beater to a fine of PLN 30,000 and compensation for the injured party. As a result of the shooting, the man lost his leg.
The accident occurred on November 12, 2022, during a commercial hunt in the forests near Charzyno in Kołobrzeg County in District 30 of the Gościno Forest District. An investigation was launched into the case, during which it was determined that Aurelien L. accidentally shot one of the hunt organizers, who acted as a beater.
The hunter fired a rifle at a distance of 60 m from the game, when the hunt was less than 100 m away. The man was hit in the right shin. He was taken to hospital in Kołobrzeg, and later in Szczecin. The right leg had to be amputated.
In February of this year, the District Prosecutor's Office in Kołobrzeg filed an indictment with the court. It was noted that “the accused did not exercise due caution” during the hunt. The hunter from France Aurelien L. was charged with unintentionally causing serious bodily harm to the injured party, 49-year-old Krzysztof G.
The prosecutor's office obtained expert opinions in the field of forensic medicine, ballistics and hunting organization. He found that the hunter “acted completely inappropriately” and “violated the hunting regulations”. The trial began in June without the participation of the accused, and on September 20, another hearing was held, at which Aurelien L. came and gave his statement.
“There was an apology and reconciliation”
Judge Sławomir Przykucki, spokesman for the District Court in Koszalin, said the Frenchman was found guilty of the acts he was charged with. “For this act, he was fined PLN 30,000. In addition, a compensatory payment of PLN 60,000 was imposed on the injured party,” he added.
– There was an apology and reconciliation – said the accused's defense attorney, Wiesław Breliński. – My client gave explanations in which he did not question his guilt or the evidence gathered, which allowed the court, at the request of the parties, to limit the trial – he explained. No further witnesses or experts were questioned in the case.
– The fact that they met now and hugged, that Krzysztof forgave him was very important – said Breliński. – This accident was a traumatic experience. Aurelien L. stopped hunting – he added.
Aurelien L. was also ordered to pay court costs.
Main image source: TVN24