the brig by the Royal Navy, The Royal Gazette has learned.

Now the sailors -- who caused $7,500 worth of damage to bikes and cars while visiting the Island on HMS London last month as part of a seven-nation NATO fleet -- will cool their heels for up to two months in a tough RN jail.

A spokesman for the Royal Navy in London confirmed yesterday that two of the four sailors had been sentenced to prison terms in DQs -- Detention Quarters.

He said it was not Royal Navy policy to discuss individual cases or sentences.

But he added: "We don't tolerate that sort of behaviour in any way or anywhere.

"It would only be appropriate that they were tried for an offence and, if found guilty, punished severely.'' After the incident, Bermuda's public safety Minister Quinton Edness called for the shamed sailors to be made to "swab the decks....without a break until they get back to London''.

Last night the Home Affairs Minister said: "It's good to see that the Royal Navy takes these kinds of things seriously.

He admitted: "I do have some sympathy for these chaps having to spend all that time in the brig as well as make restitution.'' Mr. Edness added: "I have a high regard for the Royal Navy because they do take this sort of matter seriously -- justice has been done and been seen to be done.

"And the Bermudians who were the victims of this damage I think will be quite satisfied the Navy took their complaints seriously and acted accordingly.'' Two young male sailors pushed over bikes, poured oil on two cars and jumped on the roofs of two other vehicles on Par-La-Ville Road while the other ratings, one a woman, watched.

Furious Navy brasshats -- angered that the incident took place on the weekend of the funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales -- pledged to throw the book at the sailors.

The four were the only crew members from the 1,500-strong Standing Naval Force Atlantic to get into trouble during the goodwill visit.

It is understood the disgraced duo were tried on board their ship as Captain's Defaulters by London's captain, Cmdr. Iain Greenlees.

One rating was sentenced to 60 days and another to 42 days, while the two others were fined heavily.

The jail terms were confirmed at the highest level of the Royal Navy, with an Admiral rubber-stamping the captain's sentence.

It is understood the sentences would have been even harsher had the two ratings not offered to pay for the damage caused out of their wages.