A SEDGLEY woman has appeared in court in connection with five distraction thefts in Herefordshire and Worcestershire.

Cristina Toma, aged 34, of Alderwood Precinct, was charged with conspiring to steal and committing fraud by false representation when appearing before magistrates in Worcester yesterday (Monday, September 26).

Alongside three others, Toma – who was also charged with handling stolen goods – was arrested on Friday (September 23) by officers from the Central Motorway Policing Group (CMPG) in connection with the thefts in Malvern, Ross-on-Wye and Worcester.

All four have been remanded in custody and will appear at Worcester Crown Court on Monday, October 24.