The following cases were heard at Reading Magistrates’ Court:

May 24:

  • Michael Sydney Butler, 30, of Severn Way, Tilehurst. Theft from a shop. Fined £100. Costs £30.
  • Shane Roberts, 31, of Oxford Road, Reading. Driving over the drink-drive limit. Disqualified from driving for 36 months. Community order made. Fined £250. Costs £135.
  • Ryan Williamson, 25, of Oxford Road, Reading. Possession of an offensive weapon in a public place. Community order made. Costs £85.
  • Jamie Jones, 27, of Burbidge Close, Calcot. Theft from a shop. Imprisoned for four weeks concurrent, suspended for 12 months. Compensation £35.64. Costs £200. Common assault. Imprisoned for 12 weeks, suspended for 12 months. Theft from a shop. Imprisoned for six weeks consecutive, suspended for 12 months. Failure to surrender to custody at Reading Magistrates’ Court. Imprisoned for two weeks concurrent, suspended for 12 months. Fraud by false representation. Imprisoned for six weeks consecutive, suspended for 12 months. Fraud by false representation. Imprisoned for six weeks consecutive, suspended for 12 months. Costs £85.
  • Ahmed Waqas, 35, of Wheble Drive, Woodley. Solicited a person to hire vehicles to carry them as passengers. Discharged conditionally for six months. Costs £237.

May 27:

  • Sonia Marie Coombes, 42, of Willow Street, Reading. Begging in public. Discharged conditionally for 12 months. Costs £40.

May 28:

  • Nicolas Griffith, 47, of Barnwood Close, Reading. Failure to meet road traffic act insurance requirements. Fined £100. Costs £30.
  • Liam O’Brien, 48, of Bartholomew Street, Newbury. Driving over the drink-drive limit. Disqualified from driving for 17 months. Community order made. Costs £85.
  • Arthur Adolphus Richardson, 48, of Parsley Close, Reading. Failure to surrender to custody at Reading Magistrates’ Court. Discharged conditionally for 12 months. Costs £120.
  • Benjamin Kendrew, 32, of Elliots Way, Caversham. Driving over 40mph speed limit. Disqualified from driving for seven days. Fined £105. Costs £115.

May 29:

  • Daniel Morgan Keith Lokes, 43, of Torrington Road, Whitley. Theft from a shop. Discharged conditionally for 12 months. Compensation £43.50. Costs £105.
  • Alexander Hames, 18, of Redhatch Drive, Earley. Use threatening or abusive words or behaviour likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress. Fined £50. Use threatening or abusive words or behaviour likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress. Discharged conditionally for 12 months. Restraining order made. Criminal damage to property valued under £5,000. Fined £50. Compensation £50. Costs £30.
  • Jay Winnett, 18, of Walmer Road, Woodley. Driving over the drug-drive limit. Disqualified from driving for 12 months. Discharged conditionally for 12 months. Costs £105. Driving over the drug-drive limit. Disqualified from driving for 12 months. Discharged conditionally for 12 months.
  • Ben Barry, 50, of Norfolk Road, Reading. Assault by beating. Discharged conditionally for 24 months. Compensation £200. Costs £105.
  • Samantha Holmes, 31, of Three Firs Way, Burghfield Common. Common assault of an emergency worker. Fined £200. Compensation £50. Costs £65.
  • Darren Alexander Thornhill, 26, of Long Barn Lane, Reading. Driving over the drug-drive limit. Disqualified from driving for 12 months. Fined £120. Costs £115.

A fundamental principle of justice is that it must be seen to be done. It is established in the UK that court cases should be heard in public.

The principle of open justice is acclaimed on a number of grounds: as a safeguard against judicial error, to assist the deterrent function of criminal trials and to permit the revelation of matters of interest.