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

March 23

JACK BURNS, 19, of Bucks Copse, Newbury, convicted of trespassing on the lines of a railway in Newbury on February 7, 2022. Also convicted of being in a part of a train other than the parts of it which were intended for use in Newbury, and using threatening behaviour at Reading train station on February 7, 2022. Fined £202 and made to pay £119 in court fees.

ANDREW GOODENOUGH, 48, of London Street, Reading, admitted assault by beating in Reading on December 31, 2020. Committed to prison for 20 weeks suspended for 12 months due to severity of the offence, namely spitting at and headbutting a minor during the pandemic. Must take part in up to 15 rehabilitation activity days. Ordered to pay £100 compensation and £898 in court costs.

KAMRAN LATIF, 43, of Holme Field Road, Reading, admitted to stealing £300 of goods from Next in Reading on February 10, 2022. Also admitted to entering Next store in The Oracle without reasonable excuse having been prohibited from doing so by a criminal behaviour order. Community order made. Requirement to take part in up to 30 days of rehabilitation activities.

JORDAN PROUT, 22, of St Donats Place, Newbury, convicted of harassing a woman in Newbury on January 18, 2022, namely making 70 phone calls in two hours. Also convicted of assault by beating in Newbury on January 2, 2022. Community order made. Requirement to take part in 100 hours of unpaid work. Must pay £195 in court fees.

March 24

HAFSA OMAR, 24, of Australia Road, Slough, admitted driving without insurance on Windsor Road, Slough on June 8, 2021. Fined £300 and must pay £119 in court fees. Driving record endorsed with six points.

March 25

SHAUN BASDEN, 51, of Caversham Road., Reading, admitted stealing a vacuum cleaner worth £60 in Reading on November 5, 2021. Committed to prison for six weeks as offence committed during the period of a suspended sentence order. Must pay £263 in court fees.

JOHN MCDONAGH, 23, of Acre Road, Reading, convicted of failing to provide a breath test when required by a police constable in Reading on September 23, 2021. Community order made. Must abstain from alcohol for 60 days. Ordered to take part in up to 15 days of rehabilitation activities and carry out 100 hours of unpaid work. Must pay £95 in court fees.

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.