A YOUNG woman who carried out a "nasty and serious" burglary at her former employee's house has been spared jail.

Caroline Collingwood, 20, was convicted of burglary and attempting to obtain property by deception, after jurors at Dorchester Crown Court dismissed claims she had been acting under duress.

The charges related to a night-time burglary at Seniors Farm in Marnhull, near Sturminster Newton, between March 12 and 15 when around £1,600 worth of property and a credit card was stolen. The court heard she had been acting as part of a team.

In a victim impact statement, Mary Crocker, who employed Collingwood at Seniors Farm, said she feels "disappointed and betrayed" and no longer employs young people from the area.

But David Lyons, defending, urged the judge not to send Collingwood to prison and said she was a woman of previous good character. He added: "Custody would be devastating to her. None of us who work with the criminal justice system could be under any illusion that if you're sent to prison you can quickly come under somebody's influence, get involved in drugs or alternative sexualities - she is going to be destroyed by prison.

"It would do her absolutely no good and society absolutely no good."

Mr Recorder Gordon Bebb branded the burglary "nasty and serious". He told Collingwood: "I accept you are very immature and that you got in with the wrong crowd.

"I do not accept that threats were issued."

Collingwood, who now lives in Ackland Road, Dorchester, was ordered to carry out 100 hours community service and she'll be electronically tagged to ensure she's home between 7pm and 7am every day for the next 90 days. She also has to pay Mrs Crocker £700 compensation.

Mr Recorder Bebb told her: "You are extremely fortunate - many people will think you're not getting your just deserts."

First published: November 10