Two young men were put on probation yesterday after they admitted stealing around €8,000 worth of items from the home of a man who invited them as his guests.

Dwayne Pirotta, 21, of Naxxar and Jeremy Mallia, 19, of St Venera pleaded guilty to stealing various objects, including cash, jewellery and a silver pen from the man's Għargħur home. Mr Pirotta, who was responsible for the theft of the majority of the items, said he had stolen them to impress his girlfriend.

The victim initially told police that some €13,000 worth of items had been stolen, but later realised he had misplaced some of them, Police Inspector Bernard Spiteri said.

The court heard that the men had returned all the stolen items and apologised for their actions. In fact, the victim had forgiven them and requested that no criminal action be taken against them, the inspector said.

Mr Mallia and Mr Pirotta were put on probation for a year and two-and-a-half years respectively.