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

January 17:

BRADLEY PONSFORD, 19, of Clements Close, Spencers Wood, admitted assault by beating in Wokingham on July 9, 2019. Also admitted wilfully obstructing a police constable in the execution of her duty in Wokingham on July 9, 2019. Given a community order to include three months curfew with electric monitoring. Also ordered to pay £100 compensation and a £90 victim surcharge.

ALISON LAW, 46, of Hambleden Court, Woodmere, Bracknell, admitted criminal damage to several items worth £192 total in Bracknell on February 26, 2019. Given a conditional discharged for 24 months. Also ordered to pay £192 total compensation, and must also pay £150 court costs.

STANLEY BRIMMER, 57, of Ashville Way, Wokingham, admitted waiting in his car at a place where it is illegal to do so in Langley Hill, Reading on May 9, 2019. Fined £146, ordered to pay £32 victim surcharge, and £175 costs.

January 23:

ADAM SAGHER, 38, of Cherbury Close, Bracknell, admitted speeding on Dukes Ride, Crowthorne, on March 28, 2019. Was caught driving at 39mph in a 30mph limited area. Fined £100 and ordered to pay £30 victim surcharge. Three points added to driving licence.

HOWARD PLATT, 18, of Crescent Road, Wokingham, admitted drink-driving on Magnolia Way, Wokingham, on December 15, 2019. Was found to have 91mcg alcohol in 100ml breath, exceeding the legal limit of 35mcg. Fined £250 ordered to pay £32 victim surcharge. Must also pay £85 court costs. Disqualified from driving for 23 months.

KEITH REVEL, 63, of Oxford Road, Wokingham, admitted drink-driving on Broad Street, Wokingham, on January 9. Fined £366 and order to pay £32 victim surcharge. Must also pay £85 court costs. Disqualified from driving for 12 months.

January 24:

KAINE SMITH, 24, of Sirius Close, Wokingham, admitted failing to hand over a train ticket when asked by staff, when travelling between Winnersh and Wokingham train stations on August 29, 2019. Given a conditional discharge for six months. Also ordered to pay £2.70 compensation and £21 victim surcharge. Must also pay £20 court costs.

ESTHER WHITING, 27, of Church Road, Ascot, admitted drink-driving on A404 Bisham, Maidenhead, on October 6, 2019. Found to have 114mg of alcohol per 100ml blood, exceeding the legal limit of 80mg. Fined £200 and also ordered to pay £32 victim surcharge. Must pay £85 court costs. Disqualified from driving for 12 months.

January 27:

RACHAEL MURPHY, 48, of Faraday Place, Bracknell, admitted assault by beating of a police officer on duty in Bracknell on December 11, 2019. Also admitted failing to surrender to custody at Reading Magistrates Court on January 24. Given a community order made including an alcohol treatment requirements. Also ordered to pay £60 compensation and £85 court 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.