MINNEAPOLIS (Reuters) - A former Minnesota nurse who coaxed two depressed people into committing suicide was sentenced on Wednesday to serve four days in jail each year for a decade on the anniversaries of his victims' deaths.

William Melchert-Dinkel, 48, of Fairbault, Minnesota, was convicted of two counts of aiding suicide but likely helped persuade others to kill themselves while posing as a suicidal female nurse on Internet chat rooms, authorities said.

At least two people, a British man and Canadian woman, killed themselves within days of chatting online or exchanging e-mails with Melchert-Dinkel, who advised people on the length and thickness of rope needed for a successful hanging.

Mark Drybrough, 32, of Coventry, hanged himself at his home in July 2005. Nadia Kajouji, 18, of Ottawa, jumped into a river in March 2008 wearing ice skates.

In some cases, Melchert-Dinkel proposed suicide pacts, and he tried to persuade victims to record their suicides with a webcam so he could watch. In interviews with investigators, he said he was motivated by "the thrill of the chase."

A British woman who had frequented a chat room where people discussed suicidal thoughts warned police in 2008 about an online predator, and police tracked down Melchert-Dinkel's e-mails to at least six people advising how to hang themselves, including tips on knot-tying.

Minnesota Judge Thomas Neuville ordered Melchert-Dinkel every year for 10 years to serve two-day jail sentences and perform community service in March and July, the months his victims died.

Melchert-Dinkel's attorney was expected to appeal Minnesota Judge Thomas Neuville's sentence on free speech grounds, court officials said, though the judge said his crimes fell outside such protections. The judge suspended a 340-day jail sentence pending the appeal.

A lengthier sentence was also suspended by the judge, as long as Melchert-Dinkel adheres to a program over a 15-year probationary period.

The former hospital nurse was ordered not to access the Internet except for work purposes, was barred from the health care industry and from working with vulnerable adults, and he must continue therapy.

He was also ordered to pay a fine of $18,000 plus restitution to the families of the victims.

"I hope this case stands as a warning to other predators on the Internet who advise, aide or encourages suicide that they will be held accountable," said prosecutor Paul Beaumaster, the Rice County Attorney.

(Reporting by Andrew Stern and David Bailey; Editing by Greg McCune)