Fraud backpackers sentenced to work in Rio’s slums

Shanti Andrews and Rebecca Turner, both 23, are said to be "relieved" they were not sent back to jail by a court in Rio de Janeiro.

But they may remain in Brazil for at least another eight months while they carry out their sentence before their passports are returned.

Andrews, from Frant, near Tunbridge Wells, and Turner, from Woolton Hill, near Newbury, Berkshire, were sentenced to one year and five months in prison yesterday, but this was converted to community service.

They were convicted of attempted insurance fraud, filing a false police report and attempting to make financial gain.

Their lawyer, Renator Tonini, admitted they were "anxious to go home" after a gruelling court ordeal, and are hoping an appeal will be successful.

The women, who were at the end of a nine-month backpacking trip around the world, claimed a laptop and digital camera worth £1,000 had been stolen on a bus journey in an attempt to defraud their UK-based insurance company. But police became suspicious when they waited several days to report the theft and were arrested when a search of their hostel in Rio uncovered the items.

The graduates from Sussex University, had hoped for a lenient sentence after pleading guilty to attempted fraud. But they will serve a minimum of eight months of their sentence where they will most likely work in hospitals or slum districts.

Mr Tonini said the women will have to fund their stay in Brazil. Their lawyers added that Andrews and Turner would ask the court to allow them to carry out the community service in Britain or have a fine instead.

Mr Tonini, who has represented the women since their arrest on 26 July, said he would appeal and called the punishment a "terrible mistake".