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

April 8

SADIA RIAZ, 38, of Old Bath Road, Colnbrook, Slough, admitted to committing fraud, namely to Slough Borough Council’s Benefits Service in respect of a Discretionary Housing Payment application knowing the information was untrue or misleading. Community order made. Requirement to participate in up to 20 days of an accredited programme. Fined £500 and made to pay £1,095 in court costs. 
MARIA MAHMOOD, 26, of Broadmark Road, Slough, convicted of travelling on a railway without having paid a fare in Windsor and Eton, on October 12, 2021. Fined £440, must pay £4.20 in compensation and £224 in court costs. 
SAM MARLOW, 36, of Burlington Road, Slough, convicted of travelling on a railway without having paid a fare in Slough on October 14, 2021. Fined £440, must pay £7.50 in compensation and £224 in court costs. 
HARRY SMITH, 22, of Wessex Way, Maidenhead, convicted of travelling on a railway without having paid a fare in Maidenhead on October 15, 2021. Fined £440, must pay £6.25 in compensation and £224 in court costs. 
DANIKA WHITE, 21, of High Street, Slough, convicted of travelling on a railway without having paid a fare in Reading on October 16, 2021. Fined £440, must pay £10.20 in compensation and £224 in court costs. 
MICHAEL PLAUSIN, 30, of St Andrews Close, Old Windsor, admitted breaching the requirements of a community order by failing to attend an unpaid work appointment in January 30, 2022. Ordered to pay costs of £60. 

April 9

AHILAN NALLATHAMBY, 51, of Ledgers Road, admitted sending, by means of public electronic communications network, a message that was grossly offensive or indecent. Committed to prison for 13 weeks. Must pay a victim surcharge of £128. 

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.