A DUDLEY woman who acted as a getaway driver for a handbag snatcher has avoided spending time in jail.

Kelly Dance, aged 29, sped away from Tesco in Dudley after the offence.

Recorder Roderick Henderson told Wolverhampton Crown Court: "This was an unpleasant incident. Your colleague enlisted you and you helped in a dangerous way.

"But I accept this was an impulsive act and that it was not well planned."

The 58-year-old victim - who had left her handbag in her unlocked car as she returned her trolley - was punched in the face and knocked to the ground by the thief after chasing him to the car being driven by Dance.

The bag was recovered while a witness took the registration number of the car which was used to trace Dance.

She told police she was aware a crime was taking place but she knew nothing about the exact nature of the offence.

Dance admitted assisting an offender and was given a 12-month community order after the court was told she was making determined steps to turn her life around.

Matthew Brook, defending, said Dance, who now lives in Telford, was full of remorse.