BRIT GIRLS IN RIO CELL.

Byline: EUAN STRETCH

TWO young Britons on a world trip were last night behind bars in Brazil after allegedly lying about being robbed to claim pounds 1,000 holiday insurance.

Law graduates Shanti Andrews and Becky Turner were arrested in Rio de Janeiro on Sunday after police are said to have found items in their room they reported stolen.

The terrified pair, both 23, have been sleeping on a floor in a women's prison full of murderers and drug-traffickers. Shanti's father Alan Andrews flew to Rio yesterday and was allowed to see her briefly. The girls' lawyer Renato Tonini said: "They are nervous and scared. The prison is unpleasant. It is hard for them."

He said window cleaning firm boss Mr Andrews, 52, had been "very upset" by the conditions.

The girls, who were due to fly home on Monday, had told police thieves stole a pounds 240 mobile phone, a pounds 450 digital camera, a pounds 600 iPod and pounds 60 cash as they travelled on a bus. Officers were suspicious and it is claimed they later found some of the items at the girls' hostel. The two will face between one and five years jail if convicted of fraud.

But Mr Tonini said: "They say they made a mistake in their claim. They were robbed and the police only found a few of the items that they reported stolen in the hostel."

Shanti's mum Simone, 39, who has remarried, said at the family's large home in Frant, Kent: "We don't want her future ruined. She has never been in trouble."

CAPTION(S):

HELD Shanti Andrews, left, and Rebecca Turner