Two Italian men were today given a conditional discharge for insulting police officers.

Francesco Nanni, 32, and Michele Stefanelli, 26, admitted to insulting police officers last night in Paceville at around 2am.

The men were arrested after an anonymous phone call was made to the St Julian's police station complaining about noise coming from a bar. When the police arrived on site, they heard the two accused swearing and using degrading language against the police, Police Inspector Jason Sultana said.

They also pleaded guilty to breaching the peace and using vulgar language in public. The men also formally apologized to the police.

Magistrate Aaron Bugeja asked whether the men threatened or used physical violence against the police and Mr Sultana confirmed they did not.

The magistrate conditionally discharged them for three years and fined them €100 each.

However, he told the men that it was not acceptable to insult police officers. He warned the men they would face a prison sentence if they spoke again like that to a police officer.

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