Two partners in crime from Cottonera have pleaded guilty to stealing items from Fort Ricasoli including, in one case, the watchman’s birds.

Jonathan Gauci, 28, of Vittoriosa, and Vincent Spalding, 37, of Cospicua, stole nine gas cylinders from the fort, which were worth about €200 in January 2011. On the same day, Mr Gauci also took the birds, worth about €1,300, from the room of watchman Lawrence Borg.

The men were caught in the act on security cameras and police identified Mr Gauci from the footage. Further investigation led to the arrest of Mr Spalding.

In statements to the police, both men admitted the theft.

In sentencing the men, Magistrate Doreen Clarke took into account their criminal records and that the majority of the birds were returned to their owner.

She also considered Mr Gauci’s probation report.

Mr Gauci was given 40 hours community service and placed under a one-year probation order.

Mr Spalding was given a one-year conditional discharge.