The following cases appeared at Reading Magistrates' Court:

July 13:

RODNEY MENDEZ, 50, of no fixed abode, admitted stealing £66.53 worth of alcohol and food from Aldi in Reading on July 12, 2020. Also admitted threatening a person with scissors in Basingstoke Road, Reading, on July 12, 2020. Sentenced to six months in prison due to defendant's previous record.

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ANDREW URQUHART, 43, of Presentation Way, Reading, convicted of going equipped for theft with a foil lined bag in Calcot, Reading, on March 6, 2019. Admitted failing to comply with requirements of a community order by not attending supervision requirements on December 13, 2018, and February 12, 2019. This relates to an original offence of theft in Newbury after stealing £277 worth of goods from Tesco on May 17, 2018. Also admitted failing to surrender to Reading Magistrates' Court having been released on bail on July 29, 2019. Sentenced to 16 weeks in prison suspended for 12 months, including rehabilitation requirements. Fined £50 and also ordered to pay £500 court costs.

SAMIR MUSTAFA, 21, of Stone Street, Reading, admitted drug-driving on the M4 junction 5 slip road, Slough, on January 17, 2020. Found to have cannabis in his blood. Fined £120. Also ordered to pay £32 victim surcharge and £85 court costs. Disqualified from driving for 12 months.

DUMITRU COZARU, 37, of Elizabeth Walk, Reading, admitted drink-driving in Coley Avenue, Reading, on April 2, 2020. Found to have 154mcg of alcohol in 100ml of blood, the legal limit being 85mcg. Fined £120. Also ordered to pay £32 victim surcharge and £85 court costs. Disqualified from driving for 18 months.

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July 14:

BEATRIX DEMETER, 43, of Oxford Road, Reading, admitted common assault of a police officer in Reading on December 23, 2019. Also admitted assault by beating of a detention officer at Loddon Valley Police Station on March 5, 2020., and admitted assault by beating in Reading on May 31, 2020. Sentenced to 24 weeks in prison due to incidents including 'a deliberate attack on a public servant' and all were an 'unprovoked attack of a serious nature'. Ordered to pay £200 compensation.

BEN STEWART, 23, of The Meadway, Reading, admitted assault by beating in Reading on January 15, 2020, and admitted a further charge of assault by beating in Reading on January 15, 2020. Also admitted criminal damage to a lounge door in Reading on January 15, 2020, and admitted stealing £10 worth of cash in Reading, on January 15, 2020. Sentenced to 12 weeks in prison due to previous record of offending. Also ordered to pay £122 victim surcharge.

MICHAEL ILES, 51, of Blossom Avenue, Theale, admitted possession of class a drug crack cocaine in Theale on December 28, 2019, and admitted possession of class A drug heroin in Theale on the same occasion. Fined £200. Also ordered to pay £32 victim surcharge and £85 court costs.

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JAMIE PETTMAN, 33, of Bartholomew Street, Newbury in West Berkshire, convicted of assault by beating in Newbury on May 9, 2020. Convicted of criminal damage to a mobile phone in Newbury on April 13, 2020. Convicted of assault by beating in Newbury on December 8, 2019, and convicted of the same offence in Newbury on May 1, 2020. Convicted of assault by beating in Newbury on May 1, 2020. Sentenced to five months in prison due to previous record of offending. Made subject to a restraining order. Also ordered to pay £122 victim surcharge and £750 court costs.

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.