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

February 26:

LEE BROWN, 32, of Calver Close, Winnersh in Wokingham, admitted drink-driving on the Winnersh Relief Road on December 24, 2019. Found to have 45mcg alcohol in 100ml breath, the legal limit being 35mcg. Also admitted driving without the correct insurance on the same road on December 24, 2019. Admitted failing to surrender to custody at Reading Magistrates Court on January 15, 2020. Fined £230 in total, and ordered to pay £32 victim surcharge. Must also pay £85 court costs. Disqualified from driving for 12 months.

VICTORIA HAWTHORNE, 47, of Arnett Avenue, Finchampstead, Wokingham, admitted stealing 13 bottles of whisky and gin, cans of gin and tonic and food from Waitrose, Twyford, on January 26, 2020. Given a community order to comply with rehabilitation activity.

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VICTORIA HAWTHORNE, 47, of Nash Grove Lane, Finchampstead, Wokingham, admitted stealing alcohol worth £143 from Waitrose in Woodley on February 16, 2020. Also admitted stealing various items worth £847.58 from Tesco in Wokingham on February 2, 2020. Admitted stealing alcohol from Tesco in Wokingham on February 17, 2020. Given a community order made to comply with rehabilitation activity requirements. Also ordered to pay £143 compensation.

MIGUEL ALMADA-LEODORO, 34, of London Road, Ascot, admitted assault by beating at Zia Maria Ristorante e Pizzaria, Ascot, on October 24, 2019. Also admitted criminal damage to a bracelet in Ascot, on October 24, 2019. Admitted failing to surrender to custody at Slough Magistrates Court on November 14, 2019. Also admitted possession of cocaine in Ascot, on December 15, 2019. Sentenced to 23 weeks in prison, due to ‘flagrant disregard for people and their property’, and due to the ‘unprovoked attack’. Also ordered to pay £122 victim surcharge.

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February 27:

JAMIE WHITEHOUSE, 37, of Ullswater, Bracknell, admitted being drunk and disorderly in Market Inn Pub, Bracknell, on February 8, 2020. Also failed to surrender to custody at magistrates’ court on February 24, 2020. Fined £64 total and ordered to pay £32 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.