FOUR alleged shoplifters are accused of stealing from two Port Glasgow stores in separate raids less than a fortnight apart.

Ioan Iacob, 23, and 21-year-old Diana Rezmves, who appeared in the dock at Greenock Sheriff Court on Tuesday with a Romanian translator, are said to have stolen a quantity of clothing from TK Maxx on September 25 last year along with co-accused Emmanuella Tanta, 19.

Rezmves is also charged, together with 24-year-old Samuel Rostas, with taking more clothes from the Next unit at Gallagher retail park on October 7.

It is claimed that Rezmves was subject to bail conditions at the time of the alleged thefts.

Rezmves, Tanta and Rostas, from Govanhill, and Iacob, who has a Glasgow address, all deny the charges.

A defence solicitor told the hearing that he 'suspects that the matters may resolve' after the accused group have seen CCTV footage, while procurator fiscal depute Pamela Brady said the cases were 'relatively straightforward'.

Sheriff Sheena Fraser continued proceedings to a further intermediate diet on May 14.