Two soldiers were yesterday put on probation for three years after they admitted to posing as police officers, holding a man against his will and taking his belongings.

Magistrate Consuelo Scerri Herrera heard Douglas Desira, 34, of Qormi, and Patrick Kinmont, 38, of St Paul's Bay plead guilty to stealing Emanuel Meli's gold chain, watch and mobile phone when they posed as police officers on August 2, 2003.

The magistrate heard probation officers recommend that the two men be given a sentence that allowed them to be supervised.

In the case of Mr Kinmont, the probation officer suggested he was to keep contact with the alcohol services.

After noting their guilty plea and the fact that the accused had cooperated with the police, the magistrate placed them under probation.

She also ordered their general perpetual interdiction and recommended that Mr Kinmont attends the alcohol services.

Police Inspector Angelo Caruana prosecuted.