fairness and leniency

Andrews' mother, Simone Headley, said the pair were "traumatised" and appealed for "fairness and leniency" from the legal authorities in Brazil.

OK, I should wait until I know all the facts. But I won't because that just isn't fun. Here is the story.

Shanti Andrews and Rebecca Turner, both 23-year-old law graduates, were arrested on Sunday and accused by police in Rio de Janeiro of fraudulently claiming they had been robbed.

Looks like the British authorities are trying to help.

A Foreign Office spokesman said: "We can confirm the arrest of two British nationals in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on 26 July. We are providing consular assistance."

But hold on. Three days after a supposed theft the pair report it to the police. Why not straight away? And then the mobile phones and iPods they claimed were stolen - their vastly more valuable passports had not been stolen - are found in a locker at the hostel they were staying in.

In my Judge Judy capacity I say fuck 'em. The Brazilian authorities should, of course, treat them fairly. If you commit fraud and get caught you should be nicked and face the consequences. That sounds fair to me. As for leniency, well that doesn't come into it. A crime has a punishment, just suck it up ladies.

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