The following cases were heard at Reading Magistrates’ Court

September 24:

Peter Paul John Kelly, 49, of no fixed abode, admitted to breaching a criminal behaviour order, assault by beating and possession of a controlled drug of Class B, namely cannabis. He was committed to prison for a total of 12 weeks and was ordered to pay compensation of £80. An order was made by the court for the destruction of the drugs.

George Barnard, 26, of Almond Close, Englefield Green, Egham, admitted to criminal damage to property valued under £5,000 and was convicted of assault by beating on Station Approach, Reading. A community order was made and he must carry out 180 hours of unpaid work in the next 12 months. He must also pay costs of £700, compensation of £150 and a surcharge of £85.

Jordan Richard Ross Dickins, 19, of no fixed abode, admitted to possession of a controlled drug of Class B, namely cannabis. He was fined £200, ordered to pay costs of £85 and a surcharge of £30.

Reece Collis, 23, of Coley Avenue, Reading, admitted to failing without reasonable excuse to comply with the requirements of a community order. He was fined £100 and ordered to pay costs of £60.

September 25:

Frank Barker, 59, of Patriot Place, Reading, admitted to stealing various items from Marks and Spencers of an unknown value and commission of a further offence while being the subject of a suspended sentence. He was committed to prison for five months, suspended for 15 months and must carry out a Rehabilitation Activity Requirement. He was also fined £80 and ordered to pay costs of £85 and a £30 surcharge.

Andrew Lee Day, 43, of Martinet Road, Woodley, admitted to assault by beating and received a restraining order. He was also ordered to pay costs of £135 and a surcharge of £85.

Shennie Lee Bamsey, 41, of Pitcroft Avenue, Reading, admitted to assault, stealing a wallet and fraud, namely, using a bank card to buy cigarettes worth £258. She received a community order and must take part in a Drug Rehabilitation Requirement for drug dependency. She must also complete a Rehabilitation Activity Requirement for a maximum of 20 days. She was ordered to pay compensation of £308 and costs of £85.

Leonard Gordon Kilby, 18, of Alpine Street, Reading, admitted to two counts of assault by beating and another of failing without reasonable cause to surrender to custody. He received a community order and must attend six sessions of an Attendance Centre Requirement. He must also take part in a Rehabilitation Activity Requirement for a maximum of 15 days. He was ordered to pay compensation of £100.

Wojciech Kaczyk, 37, of Great Knollys Street, Reading, admitted to using a motor vehicle on a road/ public place without third-party insurance and without a valid test certificate. He was fined £700 and had his licence endorsed with eight penalty points. He was ordered to pay £135 in costs.

September 26:

Heather Louise Middleton, 27, of Staverton Road, Reading, admitted to failing without reasonable excuse to comply with the supervision requirements imposed following release from a period of imprisonment. She was fined £50.

Mohammed Islam, 19, of no fixed abode, admitted to possession of a controlled drug of Class B, namely cannabis. He was fined £75, ordered to pay costs of £85 and a surcharge of £30. An order was made by the court for the destruction of the drugs.

Megan Dorothy Keys, 24, of Foxhill Road, Reading, admitted to drink driving, using a motor vehicle on a road/public place without third-party insurance and without a valid test certificate. She was fined £250 and disqualified from holding or obtaining a driving licence for 12 months. She must pay costs of £85 and a surcharge of £35.

A fundamental principle of justice is that it must be seen to be done. It is established in the UK that 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.