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

February 19:
SHAUN PHELAN, 29, of Drovers Way, Bracknell, admitted stalking without fear or alarm or distress in Bracknell between October 9, 2019, and January 15, 2020. Sentenced to 14 weeks in prison suspended for 24 months due to severity of offence. Also handed a restraining order from the victim, and ordered to pay £122 victim surcharge and £350 court costs.

February 20:
MARCUS MCDONALD, 20, of Norreys Avenue, Wokingham, convicted of driving while under the influence of drugs. He was stopped with cannabis and cocaine in his blood in Wokingham in June 2020. McDonald was banned from driving for 17 months and was fined £207, told to pay a victim surcharge of £34 and costs of £85.

February 22:
ALEXANDER HAMES, 20, of Redhatch Drive, Wokingham, admitted assault in Bracknell in August 2020. He was handed a community order and told to undertake alcohol rehabilitation activities. Hames must pay compensation of £75, a victim surcharge of £95, and court costs of £85. 

February 23:
CINDY BROWN, 28, of Tunworth Court, Bracknell, admitted assaulting two police officers in Luton in July 2020. She was handed a community order and told to take part in rehabilitation activities. Brown was also ordered to pay £200 in compensation.
IVAN VAUGHAN, 57, of Rectory Lane, Bracknell, admitted producing cannabis. He was fined £300 and told to pay a victim surcharge of £34 and court costs of £85. 
CAROLINE BURGESS, 56, of Nell Gwynne Avenue, Ascot, admitted racially aggravated intentional harassment in Ascot in July 2020. She was fined £150, told to pay a £34 victim surcharge and court costs of £85.

February 24: 
FILIP DZIUBINSKI, 18, of Beaver Place, Wokingham, admitted using threatening words with intent to cause fear of unlawful violence in Wokingham in August 2020. He was given a conditional discharge for six months, told to pay a victim surcharge of £22 and court costs of £85.
RYAN MCLAUGHLAN, 32, of Elizabeth House, Bracknell, admitted sending an offensive message in Bracknell in February 2021. Offence so serious he was sentenced to prison for 12 weeks. McLaughlan was also given a restraining order. He was ordered to pay a £115 victim surcharge.

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.