Law graduates 'won't go back to jail in Brazil'

Two British law graduates will not have to return to prison over allegations that they fraudulently claimed they had been robbed in Brazil, their lawyer said today.

Renato Tonini said he felt confident that even if Shanti Andrews and Rebecca Turner were convicted, they would not be jailed.

Miss Andrews and Miss Turner, both 23, were freed on bail on Saturday and were today staying in a hotel ahead of their trial in Rio de Janeiro on Wednesday.

Mr Tonini said the women, both University of Sussex graduates on a nine-month trip around the world, will have the charge of attempted insurance fraud read to them in English during the hearing.

Mr Tonini said: "I'm very confident that they will not be going back to prison. Even if they are convicted, I think a fine would solve the problem."

The pair are alleged to have told police belongings worth £1,000 had been stolen during a bus journey. Some of the items were later found in their room in Copacabana.

Describing their time in jail, Miss Turner said: "It was a living nightmare."