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

October 8:

JOHN SEARLE, 46, of Rosedown Garden, Bracknell, admitted possession of Heroin in Bracknell on January 10, and admitted a further offence while subject of a conditional discharge order imposed in Slough on November 23. Also admitted stealing £219 worth of alcohol from Waitrose in Egham, Surrey, on April 1, and admitted stealing £143.50 worth of alcohol from the same shop on April 2. Given a community order to comply with rehabilitation activity. Fined £200 and ordered to pay £85 victim surcharge, plus £170 court costs.

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October 11:

KEITH WEBB, 56, of Longwater Road, Finchampstead in Wokingham, admitted to common assault in Finchampstead on January 3. Given a conditional discharge for 18 months and ordered to pay a £20 victim surcharge. Also ordered to pay £85 court costs.

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October 12:

LEE BARRITT, 44, of Turnberry, Bracknell, admitted stealing of £42.51 worth in alcohol from BP Connect Express in Finchampstead Road, Wokingham, on March 23. Also admitted stealing £55 worth of alcohol from BP Petrol Station in Bagshot Road, Bracknell, on August 9. Admitted failing to surrender to custody at Slough Magistrates Court on September 30 after being released on bail. Also admitted stealing two steaks worth £9.50 from Co-op in Bracknell on September 18. Also admitted stealing two bottles of Champagne worth £66 from a BP Petrol Station on September 11. Admitted committing a further offence whilst subject to a conditional discharge order, namely stealing alcohol worth £60 from BP in Bracknell on April 3. Sentenced to prison for a total of 22 weeks, due to previous offending. Also ordered to pay £115 victim surcharge.

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AARON DOYLE, 34, of Quadrant Court, Bracknell, convicted of stealing alcohol worth £72 from Morrisons, Bracknell, on February 5. Also convicted of stealing alcohol worth £80 from Waitrose in Bracknell on February 17, and convicted of stealing £118.55 worth of meat from BP petrol station in Bracknell on March 22. Also convicted of stealing £48.43 worth of meat from Co-op in Bracknell on April 8. Admitted failing to surrender to custody at Reading Magistrates Court on October 1, having been released on bail. Given a conditional discharge for 12 months, and ordered to pay £318.98 compensation. Also ordered to pay £170 court costs and £20 victim surcharge.

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.