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

November 1:

DANIEL SPENCER, 30, of Milton Road, Wokingham, admitted stealing spirits worth £235.50 from Waitrose in Twyford on June 29. Also admitted stealing spirits worth £214 from the same shop on June 28, and admitted stealing spirits worth £228 from the same shop on June 26. Also admitted failing to surrender to custody at Reading Magistrates' Court, having being released on bail. Also convicted of an offence while subject to a community order in relation to driving whilst disqualified from August 22, 2017. Sentenced to prison for a total 8 weeks, due to 'wilful and persistent' failure to comply with the requirements of a community order because the defendant has a 'flagrant disregard' for court orders. Ordered to pay £122 compensation.

JAMES BROOKS, 35, of Nuthurst, Bracknell, convicted of driving without due care and attention on Chippenham Lane, Slough, on June 1. Fined £507 and ordered to pay £50 victim surcharge. Also ordered to pay £85 court costs. Five points added to driving licence.

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November 4:

ROBERT KENWRICK, 77, of Cornflower Close, Wokingham, admitted causing £506.36 worth of damage to a Fiat 500 in Wokingham on October 20, 2018. Given a conditional discharge for 12 months. Also ordered to pay £506.36 compensation and must pay £21 victim surcharge. Also ordered to pay £400 court costs.

ROBERT MITCHELL, 35, of Hilberry, Bracknell, admitted failing to comply with requirements of a community order including not attending unpaid work on July 5, and did not attend required programmes on October 2. Community order to continue and also fined £50. Also ordered to pay £60 court costs.

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JAMIE BARRETT, 31, of Lindenhill Road, Bracknell, admitted stealing alcohol worth £100 from Marks and Spencers in Bracknell on December 28, 2018. Also admitted theft of meat and vegetables worth £20 from a Co-Op in Bracknell on April 12. Also admitted theft by finding of two charity boxes worth £4.61 from One-Stop convenience shop in Reading Road, Wokingham, on October 25. Given a community order to comply with 50 hours unpaid work and ordered to pay £120 compensation. Also ordered to pay £370.

SHAUN NETHERWAY, 31, of Foxcote, Finchampstead, admitted drink-driving on Yorktown Road, Sandhurst, on October 20. Found to have 77mcg of alcohol in 100ml breath, the legal limit being 35mcg. Fined £342 and ordered to pay £34 victim surcharge. Also ordered to pay £85 court costs. 10 points added to driving licence.

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.