THE FOLLOWING cases were heard at Reading Magistrates’ Court:

February 18

LUKE POUND, 22, of Gainsborough Avenue, West Berkshire, admitted drug-driving in Turnpike Road, West Berkshire, on September 11, 2020. Found to have cannabis in his system. Also admitted using a vehicle without the correct insurance and with no valid licence on September 11, 2020, in the same road. Fined £100. Also ordered to pay £34 victim surcharge ad £85 court costs. Disqualified from driving for 14 months. 

February 19: 

PIOTR BALCHUT, 31, of Watlington Street, Reading, admitted two charges of assault by beating in Reading on May 15, 2020, and on October 7, 2020. Sentenced to 24 weeks in prison suspended for 24 months. Must also undertake 150 hours of unpaid work. Ordered to pay £128 victim surcharge and £85 court costs.

OSCAR  BERRY, 27, of Newtown Road, Henley on Thames, convicted of travelling on a Great Western Railway service in Reading without having paid the £7 train fare on August 27, 2020. Fined £440 and must pay £7 compensation. Also ordered to pay £88 victim surcharge and £180 court costs.

DAN BONESS, 33, of Ewing Way, West Berkshire, convicted of travelling on a Great Western Railway service in Newbury without having paid the £12.30 train fare on September 1, 2020. Fined £440 and must pay £12.30 compensation. Also ordered to pay £44 victim surcharge and £180 court costs.

ADAM CARKER, 27, of Littlecote Lane, West Berkshire, convicted of travelling on a Great Western Railway service without having paid the £21.90 train fare on September 9, 2020. Fined £440 and ordered to pay £21.90 compensation. Also ordered to pay £44 victim surcharge and £180 court costs.

STEPHEN HARRIS, 54, of Lynch Lane, West Berkshire, admitted driving a vehicle that exceeded weight limits in Ermin Street, Berkshire, on July 24, 2020. Vehicle found to be 11.9 tonnes, the legal limit being 7.5 tonnes. Fined £175. Also ordered to pay £34 victim surcharge and £175 court costs.

PETER JERMEY, 47, of South Street, Reading, convicted of travelling on a Great Western Railway service in Maidenhead without having paid the £4.70 train fare on September 9, 2020. Fined £440 and must pay £4.70 compensation. Also ordered to pay £44 victim surcharge and £180 court costs.

KHALJL NEWBY, 20, of Kingsford Close, Reading, convicted of travelling on a Great Western Railway service in Reading without having paid the £25.90 train fare on August 28, 2020. Fined £440 and must pay £25.90 compensation. Also ordered to pay £44 victim surcharge and £180 court costs.

ROBERT SREBRZNSKI, 34, of Oxford Road, Reading, convicted of travelling on a Great Western Railway service in Reading without having paid the £2.90 train fare on October 6, 2020. Fined £440 and must pay £2.90 compensation. Also ordered to pay £44 victim surcharge and £180 court costs.

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