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

November 28:

LIAM CARTER, 18, of Greenham Wood, Bracknell, admitted drink-driving on Gorse Ride North, Finchampstead, on November 10, 2019. Found to have 44mcg of alcohol per 100ml breath, exceeding the legal limit of 35mcg. Fined £173. Also ordered to pay £32 victim surcharge. Also ordered to pay £85 court costs. Also disqualified from driving for 12 months.

RAPHAEL BARDWELL, 24, of Segsbury Grove, Bracknell, admitted drink-driving on Mill Lane on February 23, 2019. Found to have 45mcg of alcohol per 100ml breath, exceeding the legal limit of 35mcg. Fined £292. Also ordered to pay £32 victim surcharge. Also ordered to pay £200 court costs. Also disqualified from driving for 14 months.

November 29:

CLIFFORD CLARKE, 18, of Carters Hill Park, Binfield, admitted burglary, dwelling and theft without violence, breaking and entering a home and stealing two bikes total value of £6,100 on November 3, 2019. Sentenced to prison for 12 weeks, suspended for 18 months. Also ordered to work 180 hours unpaid work. Also ordered to pay £1,000 compensation.

DARREN SMITH, 42, of Bullbrook Avenue, Bracknell, convicted of avoiding a train ticket fare of £3.90 at Theale train station. Fined £440. Also ordered to pay £3.90 compensation. Also ordered to pay £44 victim surcharge. Also ordered to pay £160.

LEE GUYETT, 36, of Ascot House, Bracknell, admitted assault by beating in Bracknell on November 13, 2019. Imprisoned for 16 weeks, because defendant has flagrant disregard for people and their property and due to previous attacks on same victim. Restraining order made. Also ordered to pay £122 victim surcharge.

November 30:

VICTORIA HAWTHORNE, 47, of Arnett Avenue, Finchampstead, admitted stealing bottles of alcohol worth £352 from Waitrose, Wokingham on August 31, 2019. Also admitted stealing bottles of alcohol worth £146 from Waitrose, Wokingham, on October 10, 2019. Also admitted failing to surrender to custody at Reading Magistrates Court, aving being released on bail, on November 6, 2019. Also convicted for original offence of stealing clothes worth £740 from Debenhams, Reading, on December 12, 2017, which was a suspended sentence order made on July 22, 2019. Committed to prison for 16 weeks, due to flagrant disregard for court orders, people, and property. Also ordered to pay £122 victim surcharge.

December 2:

TONY LAW, 34, of Fleming Place, London Road, Bracknell, admitted criminal damage to property valued under £5000 in Bracknell on December 1, 2019. Discharged conditionally for 12 months. Also ordered to pay £20.

ALEJANDRO STONE, 19, of Stoney Road, convicted of speeding on the A33, Spencers Wood, Reading, on April 16, 2019. Was caught exceeding 40mph in a 40mph zone. Fined £368. Also also ordered to pay £36 victim surcharge. Also ordered to pay £500 court costs. Also disqualified from driving for 28 days.

CHRISTOPHER DOZIER, 39, of Barkham Road, Wokingham, was convicted of the original offence in which a community order was made, which was assault by beating in Wokingham on July 20, 2019. Community order made. Ordered to work 89 hours unpaid work.

DAVID GUEST, 25, of Firs Close, Finchampstead, Wokingham, admitted failing to comply with requirements of a community order by Reading Crown Court. Failed to attend rehabilitation sessions on October 17 and 22 , 2019, November 4, 2019, and unpaid work on October 16 and November 4, 2019. Failed to provide medical evidence in time. Community order to continue, including rehabilitation activities for 23 days maximum. Also ordered to continue unpaid work requirement. Also ordered to pay £60 costs.

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.