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

December 12:

RYAN CRAFTS, 26, of Ashville Way, Wokingham, convicted of failing to stop his vehicle when required to do so by police in Broomhall Lane, Ascot, on December 18, 2018. Also convicted of driving without the correct insurance on Broomhall Lane, Ascot, on December 18, 2018. Also convicted driving without due care and attention on Broomhall Lane, Ascot, on December 18, 2018. Fined £1,000, and ordered to pay £100 victim surcharge. Must also pay £700 court costs. Six points added to driver's licence.

JOHN LOVE, 57, of Frederick Place, Wokingham, admitted drug-driving on White Hill, Remenham Hill, on July 3, 2019. Found to have cannabis in his blood. Fined £120 and ordered to pay £32 victim surcharge. Must also pay £85 court costs. Disqualified from driving for 12 months.

December 13:

MARIUS ANDRIESCU, 31, of Clifton Road, Wokingham, admitted drink-driving on Rose Kiln Lane, Reading, on November 27, 2019. Found to have 112mcg alcohol per 100ml breath, exceeding the legal limit of 35mcg. Given a community order including 100 hours unpaid work. Also ordered to pay £90 victim surcharge, and £85 court costs. Disqualified from driving for 26 months.

DAVID DOMBEK, 22, of Herondale, Bracknell, convicted of avoiding payment of a Great Western Railway train ticket of £3.20 at Slough Station on May 15, 2019. Fined £440 and ordered to pay £3.20 compensation. Also ordered to pay £44 victim surcharge and court costs of £160.

December 16:

BRIAN LOADER, 55, of Newquay Road, Goonhavern, Truro, Cornwall, convicted of failing to stop for a red traffic light on Bagshot Road, Bracknell, on December 20, 2018. Fined £136 and ordered to pay £30 victim surcharge. Must also pay £85 court costs. Three points added to driving licence.

December 17:

DAMIEN LEWIS, 28, of Bywood, Bracknell, convicted of sending a threatening text message to cause alarm or distress in Bracknell on January 19, 2019. Given a conditional discharge for 24 months. Also ordered to pay £20 victim surcharge, and £300 court costs.

December 18:

JAMIE WALKER, 33, of Three Mile Cross, Wokingham, admitted drink-driving on Basingstoke Road, Reading, on November 29, 2019. Found to have 47mcg alcohol per 100ml breath, exceeding the legal limit of 35mcg. Fined £350 and ordered to pay £35 victim surcharge. Also ordered to pay £85 court costs. Disqualified from driving for 14 months.

December 19:

PAUL SANCHEZ, 30, of Firs Close, Finchampstead, Wokingham, admitted stealing a Nintendo Wii U worth £66.25 from a home in Reading on May 15, 2019. Also admitted stealing a blue Xbox controller, FIFA 19 on Xbox, LEGO games on Xbox to the value of £39.60 from a home in Ashdene Gardens, Reading, on May 20, 2019. Also admitted fraud by false representation, by selling stolen goods on May 20, 2019. Given a community order including rehabilitation activity appointments. Also ordered to pay £50 compensation.

December 20:

MARTIN YOUNG, 26, of Bullbrook Drive, Bracknell, admitted failing to attend unpaid work without reasonable excuse on April 14, 2019, and April 28, 2019. Community order revised to include 230 hours of unpaid work. Also fined £70.

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.