The following cases were heard at Reading Magistrates’ Courts:

November 30

CHARLIE BURGESS, 23, of Bladewell Drive, Reading, admitted failing to comply with a community requirement of a suspended sentence order by not attending unpaid work on November 1 and November 8. Suspended sentence varied to a sentence of 26 weeks in prison suspended for 18 months. Also ordered to pay £75 court costs.

GERARD POWER, 50, of London Street, Reading, admitted failing to comply with supervision requirements following release from prison by not attending appointments on June 18, July 9, and September 29. Fined £30. Also ordered to pay £60 court costs.

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December 1

JOSHUA PRESTON, 24, of Vachel Road, Reading, convicted of five charges of harassment by breaching a restraining order by making connect on social media despite being prohibited on March 25, March 26, March 27, April 18, and April 27. Sentenced to 16 weeks in prison suspended for 24 months due to severity of the offence and previous record. Must also undertake 140 hours unpaid work. Restraining order continues. Also ordered to pay £122 victim surcharge and £750 court costs.

BRIAN DOBSON, 29, of Bayford Drive, Reading, admitted drug-driving in Old Bath Road, Newbury, on February 25. Found to have cannabis in his blood. Fined £80. Also ordered to pay £32 victim surcharge and £85 court costs. Disqualified from driving for 12 months.

SCOTT BENHAM, 23, admitted drug-driving in Rose Kiln Lane, Reading, on June 16. Found to have cannabis in his blood. Fined £353. Also ordered to pay £35 victim surcharge and £85 court costs. Disqualified from driving for 12 months.

BRADLEY WADE, 27, of Billington Way, West Berkshire, admitted drug-driving in Bath Road, Tidmarsh, on June 24. Found to have cannabis in his blood. Fined £133. Also ordered to pay £34 victim surcharge and £85 court costs. Disqualified from driving for 12 months.

JASON BENFELL, 45, of Kingsley Close, Reading, admitted four charges of drug-driving in Island Road on May 29. Found to have cannabis, MDMA, and cocaine in his blood. Fined £171. Also ordered to pay £34 victim surcharge and £85 court costs. Disqualified from driving for 15 months.

DAVID WELLS, 51, of Virginia Way, Reading, admitted possession of class B drug cannabis in Newbury on October 11, and admitted being in possession of a black lock knife in Newbury on October 11. Given a community order to comply with 120 hours unpaid work. Also ordered to pay £92 victim surcharge and £85 court costs.

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December 2

KYLE GILES, 18, of Rodway Road, Reading, admitted speeding on Norcot Road, Reading, on May 16. Found to be driving at 57mph on a 30mph road. Also convicted of speeding on May 16 in Langley Hill, Tilehurst. Found to be doing 50mph on the 30mph stretch of road. Admitted speeding on Langley Hill on May 19, found to be doing 52mph on the 30mph road. Also admitted aggravated vehicle taking and property damage of £5,000 or over on January 1, 2020. Admitted dangerous driving in Kirton’s Farm Road and Berry’s Lane on January 1, 2020. Given a community order to comply with rehabilitation activity and carry out 100 hours unpaid work. Fined £320. Also ordered to pay £90 victim surcharge. Disqualified from driving for 12 months.

JAMIE HEATHER, 34, of Castle Street, Reading, admitted criminal damage to a window in Reading on August 14. Fined £80. Also ordered to pay £34 victim surcharge and £85 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.