An Isle of Wight woman was caught with cannabis after she stopped to help a friend who had suffered a bicycle puncture.

Victoria Willis, 53, of Medeway, Lake, attended the Isle of Wight Magistrates’ Court on Friday, September 20, and pleaded guilty to possession of a controlled drug of Class B, namely cannabis.

Lauren McConnell, prosecuting, said police officers were on patrol in Sandown at 8.40pm on August 23, when they were informed that people were drinking alcohol in an area where anti-social behaviour had previously been reported.

Police arrived on the Esplanade, opposite the Trouville Hotel, and found Willis holding an 'unlit cigarette' and, after searching her bag, found cannabis, the court heard.

Ms McConnell told magistrates Willis has 15 previous convictions for 23 offences and had two cannabis possession incidents in 2017 and 2018 dealt with out of court.

Oscar Vincent, defending, said his client was cycling along Sandown seafront when she spotted her friend and another woman.

Mr Vincent told the court that the friend, who had also been cycling, had a puncture and asked Willis to stay with the other woman while she fetched a repair kit.

The other woman, Mr Vincent claimed, was the person who had been drinking alcohol, which is what led to officers arriving.

Mr Vincent said Willis felt embarrassed while being given a full search by three male officers and was “surprised and shocked” when they sifted through her bag.

Officers found a "very small amount of cannabis."

Willis was fined £80 and must pay £85 in court costs and a surcharge of £32.