Two women have been convicted of fraud after conning visitors to St Albans Cathedral.

Sofica Panaghita, 25, and Mirela Dumtiru, 22, both of no fixed abode, were arrested on Friday (29) at the Cathedral and charged with fraud by false representation.

The arrests came after CCTV footage showed the women collecting money and personal details from people attending the Cathedral.

The staff alerted police after becoming suspicious of the women’s behaviour.

They appeared before Hatfield Remand Court on Saturday (30), where they were each fined £100, and ordered to pay costs of £85 and a £20 victim surcharge. Councillor Beric Read said: “This is a great example of how the police and council CCTV service protects the interests of residents and visitors of St Albans”.