The following cases were heard at Reading and Slough Magistrates’ Court:

October 8:

Abdul Khan, 23, of Goddard Court, Winnersh, admitted to failing without reasonable excuse to comply with the requirements of a community order made by Reading Magistrates’ Court, by failing to attend an unpaid work requirement. He was committed to prison for six weeks for the original offence, namely three counts of using public electronic communications network a message that was grossly offensive or of an indecent, obscene or menacing character. The offence was deemed to be serious, as it was committed while he was subject to a community sentence.

October 9:

Gary Sibley, 51, of Cressex Close, Binfield, admitted to using threatening/abusive words/behaviour or disorderly behaviour likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress. He received a conditional discharge of 12 months and was ordered to pay costs totalling £105.

October 10:

Liam Godfrey, 19, of Potters Crescent, Wokingham, admitted to causing criminal damage to property valued under £5,000 and possessing a controlled drug of Class A. He was fined £100, made to pay costs of £85 and a surcharge of £30.

Piotr Cislo, 44, of Ludlow, Bracknell, admitted to failing to provide a specimen for analysis. A community order was made and he must take part in a Rehabilitation Activity Requirement for a maximum of 10 days. He was also ordered to carry out 40 hours of unpaid work in the next 12 months and was disqualified for holding or obtaining a driving licence for 44 months. He must pay costs of £85 and a surcharge of £85.

Sarah Florence Petty, 49, of Norreys Avenue, Wokingham, admitted to driving a motor vehicle with a proportion of a controlled drug above the specified limit. She was fined £120 and disqualified for holding or obtaining a driving licence for 12 months. She was also ordered to pay costs of £85 and a surcharge of £30.

October 11:

Nicola Jean Handyside, 44, of Emmbrook Road, Wokingham, admitted to drink driving and was fined £451. She was disqualified from holding or obtaining a driving licence for 20 months and ordered to pay costs totalling £130.

Andrew Kingham, 50, of The Mill House, Mapledurham, admitted to drink driving in Wokingham and was fined £80. He was disqualified from holding or obtaining a driving licence for 17 months and ordered to pay costs totalling £115.

Cristnel Ovidiu Poiana, 47, of Lowther Road, Wokingham, admitted to drink driving and was fined £120. He was disqualified from holding or obtaining a driving licence for 22 months and ordered to pay costs totalling £115.

October 12:

Daniel Nicholas Stevens, 43, of Little Ringdale, Bracknell, admitted to assault by beating and received a conditional discharge of 12 months. He was ordered to pay costs of £130 and a surcharge of £20.

Gary Evanson, 32, of Windlesham Road, Bracknell, denied keeping a vehicle which was unlicensed and was found guilty in his absence. He was fined £660, ordered to pay compensation of £155.84 and costs of £200.

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