The following cases were heard at Reading Magistrates’ Court:

June 2

STEPHEN WHITFIELD, 52, of Gasworks Road, Reading, admitted criminal damage to a car, namely a car window, theft from a motor vehicle, assault by beating, possession of cocaine and possession of heroin in Reading on March 1, 2020. Committed to prison for ten weeks due to severity of offence as defendant has a ‘flagrant disregard for people and their property and because offences were aggravated by previous offending.’ Ordered to pay compensation of £310. 

June 3

PAUL THATCHER, 45, of Newtown Road, Newbury, admitted theft from a motor vehicle, namely £150 in cash, two banks cards and a bottle of perfume in Earley on March 16, 2021. Community order made, defendant required to take part in up to 25 rehabilitation activity days. Ordered to pay compensation of £210 and a £95 victim surcharge. 

IVAN KIWUWA, 37, of Russell Street, Reading, admitted drink driving on Libenrood Road, Reading, on February 24, 2021. Caught with 135 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, the limit being 35mcg per 100ml. Community order made. Defendant required to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work. Banned from driving for 32 months. Ordered to pay £180 in court fees. 

DAVID ANGUS, 28, of Priest Hill, Caversham, admitted assault by beating in Reading on October 14, 2020. Ordered to pay compensation of £200 and a £32 victim surcharge. 

RYAN MERRITT, 33, of Rembrandt Way, Reading, convicted of destroying a wing mirror of a Vauxhall Corsa in Reading on December 4, 2020. Admitted to assault in Reading on November 1, 2020. Committed to prison for 24 weeks, due to the severity of the offence aggravated by defendant’s previous offending. Ordered to pay a £128 victim surcharge. 

ANNE HEMMINGS, 69, of Clarence Way, Calcot, Reading, convicted of racially aggravated harassment in Reading on April 18, 2020. Fined £300 and ordered to pay £34 victim surcharge.

MATTHEW AXFORD, 29, of Fairlock Close, Reading, admitted racially aggravated harassment in Reading on June 25, 2020. Fined £659, ordered to pay £200 compensation, made to pay £151 in court fees. 

 

June 4

MARCIA BLAKE, 43, of Waylen Street, Reading, admitted criminal damage to a Volkswagen Golf in Reading on November 9, 2020. Discharged conditionally for 18 months and ordered to pay £100 compensation. 

DARREN MILLER, 46, of Kentwood Hill, Reading, admitted driving whilst disqualified and driving without insurance on Kentwood Hill, Reading, on January 18, 2021. Community order made. Told to carry out 100 hours of unpaid work and ordered to pay £180 in court fees. Banned from obtaining a driving licence for 24 months. 

CURTIS KROCZAK, 31, of Kensington Close, Lower Earley, Reading, admitted failing to provide a blood sample when requested in Wokingham on August 29, 2020. Community order made. Defendant told to carry out 120 hours of unpaid work. Told to pay £511 in court fees. Banned from driving for 36 months. 

IWONA MROWKA, 32 of Howth Drive, Woodley, Reading, admitted driving without insurance in Little Marlow on April 1, 2019. Fined £230 and told to pay £115 in court fees. Banned from driving for 14 months. 

WAHEED KHAN, 28, of Shinfield Road, Reading, admitted driving under the influence of cannabis on Oxford Road, Reading, on August 31, 2020. Fined £120 and told to pay £119 in court fees. Banned from driving for 12 months. 

JAMIE MAJID, 24, of Whitley Wood Lane, Reading, convicted of failing to pay for a fare having travelled on a railway in Reading on December 3, 2020. Fined £440, told to pay £6.90 compensation, ordered to £224.

FREDERICK WALSH, 49, of Burbridge Close, Calcot, Reading, convicted of failing to pay for a fare having travelled on a railway in Reading on December 3, 2020. Fined £600, told to pay £2.80 compensation, ordered to £224.

A fundamental principle of justice is that it must be seen to be done. Open justice is a safeguard against judicial error, to assist the deterrent function of criminal trials and to permit the revelation of matters of interest.