A Dutch commando who in 2009 was awarded the Netherlands’ highest military honour for his work in Afghanistan, should be given 120 hours community service for drugs and weapons offences, the public prosecution department said on Monday.

Marco Kroon is appearing in court charged with the ‘possession and supply of several electric shock weapons and possession of a small amount of cocaine’.
The prosecutor has recommended community service because Kroon will be given a dishonourable discharge from the army if found guilty and that is punishment enough, the Volkskrant quoted the department as saying.
Chest hairs

The department has dropped its claims that Kroon also used drugs. Tests on six chest hairs which revealed traces of cocaine are no longer considered clear evidence and the drug could have come from his girlfriend, the paper said.
Kroon has admitted ordering two electric shock weapons – one for himself and one for his brother – which he described as ‘gadgets’.
Kroon was awarded the Willem’s Order cross by queen Beatrix in 2009. It was the first time in 54 years the medal had been awarded to an individual soldier.
During the trial, he revealed that he had rejected an out of court settlement.