TWO Romanian Gypsy sisters travelled from Birmingham to raid two antiques shops in Moreton, a court heard.

Vandana Rostas, aged 30, and her sister Lina Rostas, 22, both of Victoria Road, Stechford, walked out of Astley House Fine Arts in London Road, Moreton, with a silver tray and ceramic bowl worth £300, said prosecutor Andrew Bowdler at Cheltenham Magistrates court.

They also took candlesticks worth £85 from Dale House Antiques, he said. The pair had gone into the Astley House shop with a man on July 23 and later the shop owner realised the tray and bowl had gone from an upstairs area, said Mr Bowdler. A car leaving Moreton was stopped by police and officers recovered the tray and bowl as well as finding the candlesticks, which the owner had not even realised had been taken.

Mr Bowdler said the sisters told police they had gone to Moreton for a wedding and on seeing the goods had “foolishly taken them”.

Azim Walters, defending, said both women realised they were at risk of jail but he urged the court to consider community sentences.

“They are members of the Romanian Gypsy community and are eager to change their lifestyles,” he said.

Both women received 18- month community orders and were each ordered to do 200 hours of unpaid work.