A MURDERER, a drug dealer and a burglar were all sentenced at Reading Crown Court last week. 

But they weren’t the only ones -- in fact, there were quite a few criminals who learned their fate here. 

And while some of them began long jail terms following their hearing, others walked free. 

Here’s who appeared at Reading Crown Court last week. 

Charlie Ward

Charlie Ward, of Eltham Avenue, Slough, was sentenced again for the murder of Jason Gardner having been sent to prison once before following a trial in late 2018.

Following a re-trial in June and July 2021, Ward was told he will serve 20 years behind bars for his part in the May 2018 incident.

The brawl occurred at the Earl of Cornwall pub on Cippenham Lane when Mr Gardner, a father of two, attacked Charlie Ward, who was drinking at the pub with his wife, mother and father.

READ MORE: Every Wetherspoon in Berkshire ranked from best to worst 

Ward, who had a Stanley knife in his possession, retaliated and stabbed the punter more than 30 times including in the eye, mouth and face.

Gardner ‘begged for help’ during the attack, a court heard, and suffered a cardiac arrest from his injuries.

But a court heard his injuries were ‘unsurvivable’ and he passed away shortly after the horrific incident.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

Pritpal Virdee

A Slough man who assaulted his mother in a bid to fund his drug habit will not spend any more time behind bars.

Pritpal Virdee, of Trelawney Avenue, had already spent six months in custody for the attack on his mother in late 2020.

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At a sentencing last week, his honour Judge Paul Dugdale agreed a longer stint in jail was not appropriate.

He said: “You used your mum as a means to get money to buy drugs and when it got difficult, you assaulted her.”

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

Shafique Khan

Sandhurst man Khan, of Yorktown Road, was spared jail after being convicted of inflicting grievous bodily harm and possession of a bladed article in a public place. 

The 39-year-old was handed a 24-month sentence suspended for 18 months. 

He was also told to complete rehabilitation activities and an order was made for the forfeiture and destruction of the knife. 

Michael John

38-year-old John, of Oxford Road, Reading, will spend nine months behind bars for three offences. 

He was convicted for two counts of burglary and one count of handling stolen goods. 

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Steven Weatherall 

No jail time for 34-year-old Weatherall, of Malvern Road, Maidenhead. 

Instead, he received a 24-month prison sentence suspended for 18 months for being concerned in the supply of a class A drug. 

He was also told to take part in rehabilitation activities, forfeit his phone, drugs and £565 in cash, and pay £250 costs. 

Marek Katona

A COMPANY director has been spared jail despite downloading almost 800 pictures and videos of child porn.

Marek Katona, of Sayers Close, Newbury, stored the indecent images on two devices over a 16-year period which began in 2004.

READ MORE: Police hunting for man after punter assaulted and kicked in the head

The 41-year-old, who is the company director of MK Road Ltd, had images of girls as young as eight years old on his computers.

He was handed a 16-month prison term suspended for 18 months and placed on the sex offenders register for ten years.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

Nathan Humphries

Slough man Humphries was convicted for three counts of possession with intention to supply -- namely cocaine, cannabis and MDMA. 

He was also convicted of acquiring or using criminal property. 

Appearing at Reading Crown Court on Friday, September 3, the 29-year-old was handed an 18-month prison sentence suspended for two years. 

Humphries, of Belfast Avenue, was also told to carry out 150 hours of unpaid work and take part in rehabilitation activities. 

READ MORE: Latest residents in court 

Tony McManus

McManus, 23, of Bourne Stevens Close, Reading,  was jailed for 21 months for one count of robbery. 

He was also handed a five-year restraining order against his victim(s).

Fabian Bonapera

38-year-old Bonapera, of Basingstoke Road, Reading was given a community order for possession of cannabis and possession of an article with a blade. 

The knife and the drugs were ordered to be destroyed.  

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