The following cases were heard at Reading Magistrates’ Court

October 11:

Adam Paul Hood, 20, of Great Knollys Street, Reading, admitted to aggravated vehicle taking and vehicle damage of £5,000. He was disqualified from holding or obtaining a driving licence for 12 months. He was also ordered to pay costs of £300 and a surcharge of £85.

October 15:

Richard Jon Palk, 32, of Severn Way, Tilehurst, admitted to failing to provide a specimen for analysis, criminal damage to a property valued under £5,000 and failing without reasonable cause to surrender to custody, having been released on bail in criminal proceedings. He was fined £350 and disqualified from driving for 16 months. He was also ordered to pay costs of £85 and a surcharge of £30.

Dylan Giles, 22, of Teviot Road, Tilehurst, admitted to failing to comply with the requirements of a community order and was dealt with for an original offence of assault by beating. A community order was made and he must take part in a Rehabilitation Activity Requirement for a maximum of 15 days. He was also ordered to pay costs of £75.

Michael Saunders, 55, of Honey End Lane, Tilehurst, admitted to failing without reasonable excuse with the requirements of a community order. A new order was made and he must take part in a Rehabilitation Activity Requirement for a maximum of 22 days. He was also ordered to pay costs of £60.

October 16:

Pierre Cudon, 34, of Loddon Bridge Road, Woodley, denied three counts of assault by beating and was found guilty. He must take part in a Rehabilitation Activity Requirement for a maximum of 30 days and was made to pay costs of £775. A restraining order was made and he was ordered to pay costs of £85.

Karen Elaine Streetly, 46, of Coronation Square, Reading, denied assaulting a constable in the execution of his/her duty and was found guilty. She must take part in a Rehabilitation Activity Requirement for a maximum of 15 days. She was also ordered to pay costs of £50 and a surcharge of £85.

James Bozarth, 22, of Padworth Close, Reading, denied criminal damage to a property valued under £5,000 and harassment without violence. A community order was made and he must take part in a Rehabilitation Activity Requirement for a maximum of 30 days. He was also ordered to carry out 100 hours of unpaid work in the next 12 months and to pay costs of £650. A restraining order was made and he was ordered to pay a surcharge of £85.

O’Neil O’Brien Hector, 38, of South Street, Reading, admitted to criminal damage to property valued under £5,000. A community order was made and he must take part in a Rehabilitation Activity Requirement for a maximum of 15 days. He was also ordered to pay costs and a surcharge of £85 each.

Darren John Snarey, 39, of Salcombe Road, Reading, admitted to intentionally damaging several items and using threatening/ abusive/ or insulting words, thereby causing alarm/ distress. A community order was made and he must take part in a Rehabilitation Activity Requirement for a maximum of 15 days. He was also ordered to carry out 80 hours of unpaid work in the next 12 months and pay compensation of £777.87. The court also made a restraining order.

October 17:

Dylan Makepeace, 19, of York Road, Caversham, admitted to using threatening/abusive/insulting words with intent to fear unlawful violence would be used against them. A community order was made and he must take part in a Rehabilitation Activity Requirement for a maximum of 20 days. He was also ordered to carry out 180 hours of unpaid work in the next 12 months. He was also ordered to pay costs and a surcharge of £85 each.

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.