The natural mother of the 'internet twins' has been ordered to pay £15,000 and put on probation for three years after admitting fraud.

The original plea by Tranda Wecker, 29, of "not guilty" was changed to "guilty" in October last year.

Two years ago, California couple Richard and Vickie Allen said they paid an internet broker £4,285 to adopt the twins, Kiara and Keyara, who are now 19 months old. Then, they said, Wecker took them for a visit and never returned.

The twins were subsequently adopted by Welsh couple Judith and Alan Kilshaw, who said they paid the same broker £8,570. Wecker and her estranged husband are both applying for custody of the twins.