The following cases were heard at Reading Magistrates’ Court

May 13:

Jorden Paul Davis, 28, of no fixed abode, admitted to theft from a shop, namely stealing shirts belonging to Blacks to the value of £300. He received a conditional discharge of 12 months and was ordered to pay a surcharge of £20.

Paul Martin Harman, 32, of Northumberland Avenue, Reading, admitted to drink driving and was fined £162. He was disqualified from holding or obtaining a driving licence for 16 months and was ordered to pay costs of £500 and a surcharge of £30.

Rufus Mwirigi Joseph, 54, of Lulworth Road, Reading, admitted to drink driving, using a motor vehicle on a road/public place without third-party insurance and failing without reasonable cause to surrender to Reading Magistrates’ Court, having been released on bail in criminal proceedings. He was sentenced to 14 weeks in prison, suspended for 18 months. He must take part in a Rehabilitation Activity Requirement for a maximum of 25 days and an Unpaid Work Requirement of 200 hours in the next 12 months. He was disqualified from holding or obtaining a driving licence for 40 months and was ordered to pay costs of £85 and a surcharge of £115.

Delroy Marsden Blake, 42, of Ashburton Road, Reading, denied possession of a weapon, namely a Taser, and was found guilty. He received a community order and must take part in an Unpaid Work Requirement of 180 hours in the next 12 months. He was also ordered to pay costs of £250 and a surcharge of £85.

May 14:

Chantelle Flitcroft, 18, of Teviot Road, Reading, admitted to causing criminal damage to property valued under £5,000 and assault by beating of an emergency worker. She received a community order and must take part in a Rehabilitation Activity Requirement for a maximum of 25 days and an Unpaid Work Requirement of 100 hours in the next 12 months. She was also ordered to pay costs of £85 and compensation of £150.

May 15:

Simon Wardle, 51, of Headley Road East, Woodley, admitted to drink driving and was committed to prison for three months, suspended for two years. He must take part in a Rehabilitation Activity Requirement for a maximum of five days and an Unpaid Work Requirement of 150 hours in the next 12 months. He was disqualified from holding or obtaining a driving licence for four years and ordered to pay costs of £85 and a surcharge of £115.

Mark Allen, 47, of Cansfield End, Newbury, admitted to two counts of assault by beating and was fined £160. He was also ordered to pay compensation of £50, costs of £85 and a surcharge of £30.

Jimmy Lelong, 29, of Brisbane Road, Reading, admitted to possession of a knife/blade/sharp pointed article in a public place and received a community order. He must take part in a Rehabilitation Activity Requirement for a maximum of 15 days and an Unpaid Work Requirement of 300 hours in the next 12 months. He was also ordered to pay costs of £85 and a surcharge of £85.

May 16:

Thomas William Spires, 31, of Keats Road, Woodley, admitted to theft from a shop, namely stealing an electric razor belonging to Boots to the value of £249.99. He received a community order and must take part in a Drug Rehabilitation Requirement for six months and a Rehabilitation Activity Requirement for a maximum of 10 days. He was also ordered to pay compensation of £249.99.

May 17:

Marian Pughineanu, 19, of Wargrave Road, Twyford, admitted to committing an act of outraging public decency and received a community order. He must take part in a Rehabilitation Activity Requirement for a maximum of 40 days and an Unpaid Work Requirement of 80 hours in the next 12 months. He was also ordered to pay costs of £85 and a surcharge of £85.

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.

The principle of open justice is acclaimed on a number of grounds: as a safeguard against judicial error, to assist the deterrent function of criminal trials and to permit the revelation of matters of interest.