AN ISLE of Wight woman who played a part in a high value retail burglary – one which saw a sledgehammer used to gain entry – has been spared jail.

Cherelle Menniss, of Green Street, Ryde, appeared before Isle of Wight magistrates on Friday, August 9.

At a previous hearing in May, the 32-year-old admitted burglary at Wootton Bridge, on January 2.

Prosecutor, Liz Miller, said three people were involved in a burglary at Premier Stores on Wootton High Street at around 1.30am, and Menniss was among them.

She said of the three, only Menniss was charged.

The court heard one male waited in a getaway car while Menniss and another male forced entry into the store with a sledgehammer, stealing alcohol and vapes to the value of £1,869.92.

Ms Miller said blood was found in the shop, on the counter, and when police attended the address of the getaway vehicle’s registered keeper as part of their investigation, they noticed Menniss had a fresh cut on her hand.

The court heard a bottle was recovered from the address which matched what was taken from the store and none of the other stolen goods were recovered.

Michael McGoldrick, defending, said it was clear Menniss was involved through coercion, intimidation and exploitation.

He said she played a minor role in the burglary and was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time, associating with professional criminals.

Mr McGoldrick told the bench Menniss had been in a very dark place at the time and there was a significant element of peer pressure.

The court heard she spent two weeks at Sevenacres for mental health issues following a complete breakdown and was ripe for rehabilitation.

Menniss was handed a four-month prison term, suspended for 12 months, to include 15 rehabilitation days.

She was also ordered to pay £700 compensation to the store.