The following cases were heard at Reading and Slough Magistrates’ Court:

September 24:

LEWIS MASCALL, 29, of London Road in Bracknell, admitted to common assault by beating in Bracknell on August 4. Also admitted common assault on August 4 in Berkshire, and admitted possession of cannabis on the same day in Bracknell. Sentenced to prison for 14 weeks, due to offence being so serious because the defendant 'has a flagrant disregard for people and their property'. Also made subject to a restraining order and must pay £250 compensation.

MARK CONNOR, 45, of no fixed abode, convicted of assault by beating in Bracknell on June 6. Community order made including rehabilitation activity, and ordered to pay £85 victim surcharge. Must also pay £620 in court costs.

MATTHEW ROSE, 35, of Fleming Close in Arborfield, Wokingham, convicted of [[using a vehicle on the road]] driving without having the correct insurance in Princess Marina Way, Reading, on March 31. Fined £550, and ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £55. Also ordered to pay court costs of £85. Disqualified from driving for six months, due to repeat offending.

MARINA MORGAN-GYNN, 49, of Charters Road in Sunningdale, Ascot, admitted speeding on February 20 on the A330 Maidens Green, Bracknell. Found to be doing 36mph in a 30mph zone. Fined £111, and ordered to pay £30 victim surcharge. Also ordered to pay £85 in costs, with three points added to driving licence.

MATTHEW ROBERTS, 52, of Swepstone Close in Earley, Wokingham, admitted to breaching a non-molestation order in Bracknell on September 23. Fined £320, and ordered £32 victim surcharge. Also ordered to pay £85 in court costs.

September 25:

RAE BOWDERY, 58, of Church Road in Winkfield, Windsor, admitted to drink-driving on August 10 in Church Road, Winkfield. Found to have 82mcg of alcohol per 100ml of breath, the legal limit being of 35mcg. Fined £732 and ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £73.20. Also ordered to pay £85 court costs. Disqualified from driving for 20 months.

KIRK GREENWOOD, 39, of Shinfield, admitted to drink-driving on September 7 in Shinfield Road, Reading. Found to have 113mcg alcohol in 100ml of breath, the legal limit being 35mcg. Given a community order including rehabilitation activity, and ordered to pay £90 victim surcharge. Also must pay £85 court costs. Disqualified from driving for 26 months.

A fundamental principle of open justice is that it must be seen to be done. It is established in the UK court cases should be heard in public. This principle of open justice is acclaimed on a number of grounds: as a safeguard against judicial error, as a deterrent to perjury, to assist the deterrent function of criminal trials and to permit the revelation of matters of public interest.