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

July 9:

Jonathan James Haskins, 47, of Buttersteep Rise, Ascot. Driving over the 30mph speed limit. Disqualified from driving for six months. Fined £406. Costs £125.

July 10:

Louise Sally Beasley, 25, of Drovers Way, Woodley. Theft from a shop. Community order made. Compensation £299.95. Assault by beating. Community order made. Criminal damage to property valued under £5,000. Community order made. Compensation £472.50. Failure to surrender to custody at Reading Magistrates’ Court. Community order made.

Matthew Lee Smith, 46, of Loddon Bridge Road, Woodley. Driving over the 40mph speed limit. Driving record endorsed with three penalty points. Fined £100. Costs £30.

Sara Nicola Park, 48, of Old Bracknell Lane East, Bracknell. Driving over the 30mph speed limit. Driving record endorsed with six penalty points. Fined £80. Costs £30.

Ashley Ryan Edwin Atkins, 35, of Devitt Close, Shinfield. Driving over the drug-drive limit. Disqualified from driving for 12 months. Fined £400. Costs £125. Driving without correct insurance. Fined £100. Driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence. Fined £75. Driving without correct insurance. Fined £75. Driving without a valid test certificate. Fined £75. Driving without due care and attention. Disqualified from driving for six months. Costs £440.

Steven Meehan, 35, of Lower Broadmoor Road, Crowthorne. Assault by beating. Fined £30. Compensation £50. Costs £30.

July 11:

Samuel Jay Hogsden, 18, of New Wokingham Road, Crowthorne. Possession of a controlled drug of Class A. Fined £300. Costs £115.

Wendy Kohli, 44, of Wargrave Road, Wokingham. Driving over the drink-drive limit. Disqualified from driving for 16 months. Fined £600. Costs £145.

Rosanna Simkin, 33, of St Barnabas Road, Shinfield. Send by public communication network an offensive, indecent, obscene or menacing message or matter. Fined £869. Compensation £100. Costs £171.

Diane Schadenberg, 45, of Coachmans Grove, Sandhurst. Assault by beating. Community order made. Costs £170.

Michael Anthony John Jenvey, 39, of Maidenhead Road, Binfield. Assault by beating. Community order made. Costs £85. Criminal damage to property valued under £5,000. Community order made. Driving without correct insurance. Driving record endorsed with six penalty points. Take a motor vehicle without the owner’s consent. Community order made.

A fundamental principle of open justice is that it must be seen to be done. It is established in the UK 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.