The following cases were heard at Reading Magistrates’ Court

May 6:

Heather Louise Middleton, 28, of Staverton Road, Reading, admitted to two counts of theft from a shop and failing without reasonable cause to surrender to custody having been released on bail during criminal proceedings. She was committed to prison for four weeks, suspended for 12 months. She was also ordered to pay compensation of £291.43.

May 7:

Bailey Fullbrook, 21, of Cranbourne Gardens, Tilehurst, admitted to assault by beating and received a community order. He must take part in a Rehabilitation Activity Requirement for a maximum of 10 days and an Unpaid Work Requirement of 135 hours in the next 12 months. He was also ordered to pay compensation of £100, costs of £400 and a surcharge of £85.

Arnis Lacis, 41, of Kensington Gardens, Reading, admitted to assault by beating and received a community order. He must take part in a Programme Requirement for 30 days, a Rehabilitation Activity Requirement for a maximum of 15 days and an Unpaid Work Requirement of 160 hours in the next 12 months. He was also ordered to pay costs of £85 and a surcharge of £85.

Martin Kayode Afolabi, 37, of Zinzan Street, Reading, admitted to driving a mechanically propelled vehicle on a road/in a public place without due care and attention and being the driver of a vehicle who failed to stop after a road accident. He received a community order and must take part in a Rehabilitation Activity Requirement for a maximum of six days and an Unpaid Work Requirement of 80 hours in the next 12 months. He was also ordered to pay costs of £85 and a surcharge of £85.

May 8:

Noorul Miah, 42, of Lyndhurst Road, Tilehurst, denied common assault and was found guilty. He was fined £60, ordered to pay costs of £350 and a surcharge of £30.

Robert Lucas Vallance, 54, of Walton Way, Newbury, admitted to drink driving and received a community order. He must take part in an Unpaid Work Requirement of 160 hours in the next 12 months and he was disqualified from holding or obtaining a driving licence for 24 months. He was also ordered to pay costs of £85 and a surcharge of £85.

May 9:

Marvin Leon Lewis, 36, of Northfield Road, Reading, admitted to two counts of driving a motor vehicle when the proportion of a controlled drug exceeded the specified limit. He was fined £200 and disqualified from holding or obtaining a driving licence for 12 months. He was also ordered to pay costs of £85 and a surcharge of £30.

Daniel Mark Smith, 36, of Coronation Square, Reading, admitted to theft from a shop and was committed to prison for six weeks. He was also ordered to pay compensation of £43.50.

Mihai-Florin Ungureanu, 25, of Grange Avenue, Reading, admitted to drink driving, driving without insurance of third party risks and driving a motor vehicle otherwise than in accordance with a licence. He received a community order and must take part in a Rehabilitation Activity Requirement for a maximum of 10 days and an Unpaid Work Requirement of 120 hours in the next 12 months. He was disqualified from holding or obtaining a driving licence for 24 months. He was also ordered to pay costs of £85 and a surcharge of £85.

May 10:

Navin Thapa, 31, of Radstock Road, Reading, admitted to assault by beating and received a community order. He must take part in a Programme Requirement for 30 days and a Rehabilitation Activity Requirement for a maximum of 10 days. He was also ordered to pay costs of £85 and a surcharge of £85.

A fundamental principle of justice is that it must be seen to be done. It is established in the UK that court cases should be heard in public.

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.