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

March 16:

ASHLEY HOBDEN, 29, of Longwater Road, Bracknell, admitted possession of an offensive weapon, namely a Knuckle Duster, in Portman Close, Bracknell, on February 29. Fined £300. Also ordered to pay £32 victim surcharge and £85 court costs. Knuckle Duster forfeited and destroyed.

KIERON SHERWOOD, 34, of no fixed address, admitted criminal damage to a vehicle in Bracknell on March 14. Given a conditional discharge for 24 months. Also ordered to pay £250 compensation.

March 17:

BEN WEBB, 19, of Dowles Green, Wokingham, admitted speeding on A33 Reading Relief Road, Reading, on November 23, 2019. Fined £300. Four points added to driving licence.

JAHRAD MAY, 19, of Anchorite Close, Twyford, admitted stealing a bicycle from Twyford Railway Station on September 17, 2019. Given a community order including 100 hours unpaid work. Also ordered to pay £100 compensation. Must pay £90 victim surcharge, and £85 court costs.

DARRYL GOODCHILD, 35, of Kennel Lane, Warfield, admitted driving whilst disqualified on Anndeforde Place, Bracknell, on September 18, 2019. Also admitted using a vehicle without the correct insurance on Anneforde Place, Bracknell, on September 18, 2019. Also convicted drink-driving on Anneforde Place, Bracknell, on September 18, 2019. Found to have 42mcg of alcohol per 100ml breath, exceeding the legal limit of 35mcg. Given a community order including 80 hours unpaid work. Also ordered to pay £90 victim surcharge and £200 court costs. Disqualified from driving for 36 months.

BILLY OWENS, 33, of Vandyke, Bracknell, convicted of sexual assault after touching someone in a sexual manner without consent in Wokingham on October 14, 2019. Given a conditional discharge for two years and made subject to a restraining order. Also ordered to pay £21 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.