The following cases were heard at Reading Magistrates’ Court:

March 4:

MICHAEL SIMPSON, 46, of Belmont Road, Reading, admitted speeding on the A34 Stratford Road, Birmingham, on March 22, 2019. Found to be doing 41mph on a 30mph stretch of road. Fined £273 and ordered to pay £30 victim surcharge. Also ordered to pay £85 court costs. Four points added to driving licence.

JAKE MARSHALL, 27, of Sunderland Gardens, Newbury, admitted assault in Newbury on November 1, 2019. Given a conditional discharge for 18 months and ordered to pay £30 compensation. Also ordered to pay £21 victim surcharge and £85 court costs.

ALSO READ: Group of men threaten to kill man in attempted stabbing on Oxford Road

JOSHUA BEWLEY, 29, of High Street, Nettlebed, admitted drink-driving in Riverside Car Park, Reading, on February 16, 2020. Found to have 64mcg of alcohol in 100ml of breath, the legal limit being 35mcg. Fined £120 and ordered to pay £32 victim surcharge. Also ordered to pay £85 court costs. Disqualified from driving for 17 months.

GARY FISHER, 34, of Chilton Way in West Berkshire, admitted assault by beating in High Street, Hungerford, on February 14, 2020. Given a conditional discharge for 24 months and ordered to pay £120 compensation. Also ordered to pay £21 victim surcharge and £85 court costs.

MATTHEW HAY, 44, of Azalea Close, Winnersh, admitted drink-driving in Calver Close, Winnersh, on February 15, 2020. Found to have 64mcg of alcohol in 100ml of breath, the legal limit being 35mcg. Fined £120 and ordered to pay £32 victim surcharge, plus £85 court costs. Disqualified from driving for 20 months.

ALSO READ: Frontline doctor left 'heartbroken' after finishing gruelling shift to find her bike had been stolen

ADEBAYO KESTER, 40, of Coldstream Way, Thatcham in West Berkshire, admitted drug-driving on the A$ in Aldermaston on October 12, 2019. Found to have cannabis in his system. Fined £150 and ordered to pay £32 victim surcharge, plus £85 court costs. Disqualified from driving for 12 months.

LEE SAUNTSON, 42, of The Slopes, Reading, admitted failing to comply with a community protection order on February 15, 2020 which banned him from Chain Street, Reading. also admitted the same charge again on February 16, 2020. Given a conditional discharge for 15 months and ordered to pay £21 victim surcharge.

March 5

DAVID MORRIS, 35, of Peers Place in Thatcham, West Berkshire, admitted assault by beating in Newbury on September 7, 2019. Also admitted harassment in Newbury between May 29, 2019, and September 29, 2019. Also admitted disclosing photographs with intent to cause distress in Newbury on July 23, 2019. Sentenced to six months in prison due to it being a 'particularly nasty offence'. Made subject to a restraining order and ordered to pay £122 victim surcharge. Also ordered to pay £620 court costs.

ALSO READ: Ikea set to reopen 'soon' - here's what you need to know

KEVIN HOLMES, 59, of Comet Way in Woodley, Reading, admitted drink-driving in Comet Way, Woodley, on February 19, 2020. Found to have 49mcg of alcohol in 100ml of breath, the legal limit being 35mcg. Fined £333 and ordered to pay £32 victim surcharge. Must also pay £85 court costs. Disqualified from driving for 13 months.

AMANDA WALKER, 51, of Tyle Mill Cottages in Sulhamstead, West Berkshire, admitted drink-driving in Hollybush Lane, Reading, on February 17, 2020. Found to have 58mcg of alcohol in 100ml of breath, the legal limit being 35mcg. Fined £133 and ordered to pay £32 victim surcharge, plus £85 court costs. Disqualified from driving for 13 months.

A fundamental principle of justice is that it must be seen to be done. 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.